Three people have died while two others have sustained serious injuries after a Toyota Runx they were in collided head-on with an oncoming truck in Nyimba.

Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo has disclosed in a statement that the accident occurred on Wednesday around 14:00 hours at Chamilala area about 75 kilometres West of Nyimba Boma along the Great East Road.

Katongo stated that the accident happened when the driver of the Runx lost control of the vehicle due to excessive speed and hit into an oncoming truck.

“Involved was John Chileshe of unknown address, Chipata who whilst driving a motor vehicle Toyota Runx registration number ACZ 9433 with four passengers on board from East to west hit into a motor vehicle Iveco truck registration number PE 2835 /PE 8397T which was being driven by Ibrahim Nasanganya aged 37 of Blantyre, Malawi with two passengers on board coming from the opposite direction. The accident happened when the driver of the first motor vehicle Toyota Runx ACZ 9433 lost control of the motor vehicle due to excessive speed and went to hit into the oncoming motor vehicle Iveco truck registration number PE 2835/PE 8397T which was on its left near side,” Katongo stated.

She stated that the driver of the Runx identified as John Chileshe died on the spot while two other passengers died at the hospital after sustaining serious injuries.

“The driver John Chileshe died on the spot after sustaining fatal injuries – broken forehead and legs; Female Adult Milica Mutale Chileshe of the same address died after sustaining broken legs and, Female Adult Fainess Mulenga also of the same address died after sustaining broken forehead and broken right leg. The three bodies of deceased are in Nyimba District Hospital Mortuary. The injured Male juvenile Mapalo Chileshe aged nine of the same address and is admitted to Nyimba District Hospital and male adult Franuel Mulenga and is admitted to St Francis Hospital,” stated Katongo.

Meanwhile, Katongo stated that the driver of the truck identified as Ibrahim Nasanganya aged 37 and his two passengers escaped unhurt.