Two school learners of Kaigwazanga primary school in Mchinji sustained serious fractures following a road accident which occurred on Sunday in the district.
Mchinji Police Public Relations Officer Kaitano Lubrino said that the school, against the standards of transportation of learners, ferried 72 learners in an open vehicle lorry registration number BQ 5576 Toyota Dyna from their school to Chikumba Primary School for football and netball friendly matches.
According to Lubrino, after playing the games, the students using the same motor vehicle set off on their journey back to their school and upon reaching at Luwelezi Bridge along the Kazyozyo – Luwelezi Earth road the driver Innocent Pipe failed to negotiate a slope.
“After many attempts to apply brakes the lorry failed to stop, instead it started running by the rear and ended up overturning sideways,” Lubrino said.
Following the impact, two pupils aged 14 and 16 sustained serious fractures on left hand and right shoulder respectively while eleven others sustained minor injuries and the rest escaped unhurt.
Meanwhile, the driver is in custody at Mchinji Police Station where he has been charged with reckless driving which is contrary to section 126 of Road Traffic Act 1997 and will appear before court soon when other technical investigations are done.
The Station Traffic Officer for Mchinji police Superintendent Joshua Mazengera has since advised the general public that it is unlawful and dangerous to carry passengers or travel in an open vehicle.
I Have Been Seeing Police Lorries Carrying Police Officers.
Is It Only Unlawful To Civilians When Carried In An Open Vehicles