Teenager hit by car while opening gate

A 17 year-old boy in Mzuzu city has died after being crushed between a steel gate and the wall of a fence.

According to Martin Bwanali who is Mzuzu Police Public Relations Officer, the boy Gift Theu who was living with his parents at Hilltop location in the city, died on Wednesday after being wrecked between a steel gate door and a fence wall.

Bwanali said on 31st May this year at around 21:00 hours, Mr Yotamu Theu, 52, who is father to the deceased was driving a two tonner Mazda pickup registration number KK 6525 from the city to his house.

When he reached the entrance at his home, his son Gift rushed to open the gate.

The boy opened the gate in such a way that he stood behind the steel gate door he was opening. His father did not wait for the gate door to be fully wide opened but forced himself by driving in. He unknowingly crushed his son between the gate and the fence wall. The boy was hit hard on the chest and shouted “dad!”

The father stopped the vehicle and found the son in pains. He was rushed to Mapale health centre where due to his condition he was referred to Mzuzu Central Hospital the same night.

The boy died on 01st June 2016 while receiving treatment in the ICU ward. Medical reports indicated that death was due to internal injuries.

Meanwhile Police in Mzuzu are warning people to be vigilant and careful when they are opening gates for vehicles to avoid unnecessary deaths.

The deceased Gift comes from Malengasanga village, Traditional Authority Fukamapiri in Nkhatabay District.