Another bloody Sunday as a tragic collision left five people dead in a road accident in Kanengo – Malawi Nyasa Times

A devastating road accident on the evening of October 13, 2024 at Silos Road Junction in Kanengo along Lilongwe-Kasungu Road left five passengers dead and several others seriously injured. The incident highlights the urgent need for improved road safety measures.

According to Kanengo Police Station Public Relations Officer Gresham Ngwira, the accident occurred at around 7pm when Kondwani M’mangeni was driving a Freightliner tractor-trailer (registration number NU 9422/BJ3760) from Lumbadzi towards Kanengo. As he approached the Silos Road intersection, M’mangeni attempted to overtake another truck that was turning onto Silos Road.

In a tragic turn of events, his truck collided head-on with two oncoming vehicles: a Nissan Atlas truck (registration plate BZ 6633) and a Toyota Toyoace truck (registration plate KU 11061). The impact was catastrophic and had serious consequences for the occupants of the smaller vehicles.

The collision resulted in the instant death of five passengers, including Ester Banda, Precious Kazoma and Noel Phiri, as well as two unidentified people in the Toyota Toyoace truck. All five were pronounced dead on arrival at Kamuzu Central Hospital and taken for medical treatment. Several other passengers suffered injuries but survived the ordeal.

There was significant damage to the vehicles involved. The Freightliner truck’s front end was severely damaged, while the Nissan Atlas truck’s windshield was shattered and its fuel tank was damaged. The Toyota Toyoace truck was left with significant body damage, reflecting the violence of the accident.

In light of this tragedy, the police have reiterated their call for all road users, especially motorists, to adhere to safety regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future. Authorities stress the importance of careful driving, particularly when overtaking and approaching intersections, to reduce the risk of accidents.

This tragic accident is a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities on Malawi’s roads. As families mourn the loss of loved ones, there is an urgent need to place renewed emphasis on road safety measures, driver training and stricter enforcement of traffic laws to protect lives and prevent further tragedies.

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