Truck catches fire, kills driver, cattle

A freightliner truck carrying World Food Programme (WFP) relief items was burnt to ashes on Monday morning after hitting a head of cattle before overturning.

The accident occurred at Thangadzi Bridge near Bangula Trading Centre in Nsanje and the driver and four head of cattle died on the spot.

Head of traffic section at Nsanje Police Station Stuart Napwanga today confirmed saying the fatal accident involved the vehicle registration numbers MN 6262 (horse) and NU 1545 (trailer) belonging to Sameer Suleman of Chigumula in Blantyre.

It was being driven by 34-year-old Allan Kaipa, but also had three passengers on board. The driver, who hailed from Dembo Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Makhuwira in Chikwawa, died on the spot.

Napwanga said upon arrival at Thangadzi Bridge the truck hit the four head of cattle and lost control of the vehicle before overturning.

“Due to the impact, the driver died on the spot and the other passengers escaped with injuries,” said the officer.

In a separate interview, Sulemani said his truck was coming from Blantyre to Makhanga and was carrying maize and other relief items belonging to WFP.

“What I heard was after reaching the bridge there was heavy fog that he could not see and ended up hitting the cattle before overturning,” said Suleman.

The vehicle’s horse was burnt to ashes but Suleman could not immediately determine the cost of the damage.

Napwanga said almost all the relief items were rescued.

The other passengers were Hamuza Ishmael, 22, from Likotima Village, T/A Kapeni, Blantyre who sustained severe backache and still in hospital.

The other three, Rodney Mphepo, 30, of Mtambo Village, T/A Kapeni, Blantyre, Sikweya Ajibu, 25, Kachere Village, T/A Machinjiri, Blantyre and 33-years-old Mabvuto Jackson of Kuyitanda Village, T/A Nsamala in Balaka escaped with minor injuries.