A 16-year-old Raphael Kombe Girls Secondary School grade 10 pupil has died on the spot after being hit by a Zambia Railways passenger train.

The accident occurred this morning at around 07:00 hours in Kabwe’s Nakoli compound as Martha Chileshe, who was wearing headsets, was crossing the railway line on her way to school.

Both Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) and Raphael Kombe Girls Secondary School management have confirmed the incident to News Diggers!

Deputy school manager Kenneth Zyangale said the school was deeply disturbed by the death of their pupil.

“Yes, I can confirm that Martha is our pupil and this morning she was hit by a train and died instantly. This is a very sad development for us as a school and am actually preparing a report now to forward to the higher offices,” he said.

Zyangale said eye witnesses told the school that the girl had headsets on as she was crossing the road and could not hear the train approaching.

“One of the eye witnesses, a Mr Joseph Nyendwa, who happens to be PF Nakoli Overspill Chairperson, told me that Martha had headsets on as she was crossing and efforts by the train driver who hooted several times could not draw her attention,” Zyangale said.

He said the school did not allow pupils to attend class with cellphones.

“These are things we always talk about to the parents and pupils. At this school we don’t allow learners to come with cellphones,” said Zyangale.

The body of the deceased has since been deposited in Kabwe General Hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem.