|
8 perish in Babati motor accident
2007-10-05 09:23:55
By Charles Masayanyika, PST, Babati
Eight people have perished in yet another tragic road accident in Babati, Manyara Region as a passenger bus plunged into a ditch before rolling over several times, killing six people on the spot and wounding 43 others, 11 seriously.
The bus, christened Bedui with registration number T 421 AJZ, was heading for Arusha from Mwanza via Babati before getting involved in an accident that occurred 13 kilometers from Babati township at a place known as Mlima wa Singu.
Senior Medical Officer at Manyara Regional Hospital in Babati, Dr. Theophil Gaare, confirmed to have received six dead bodies and survivors, adding that 11 persons who sustained critical injuries were rushed to the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center, KCMC in Moshi for further medical attention.
Dr Gaare said two bodies had already been identified. He named them as Cyprian Clement Makala, a TANESCO accountant in Shinyanga municipality and Saidi Ngomela, a traditional healer and resident of Babati.
Among the dead, were a middle aged woman, resident of Galapo in Babati, a bus tout identified by the single name Meria and a bus conductor Majaliwa; and a woman aged 30 years, resident of Mbauda, Arusha.
Interviewed survivors complained of looting of their property by local thugs who disappeared with cell phones, luggage and cash money soon after the accident occurred, before the police came to their rescue.
John Malingika, a survivor, who is the village chairman of Mzimuni in Arumeru District, told PST that right from the beginning, the driver who ran away soon after the accident, appeared to be unfamiliar with the road as he received instructions from the helper throughout the journey.
`We heard the turn boy who also died in the accident alerting the driver on trouble spots, implying that he had never plied the route before.
But the moment the assistant dwelt on sending text messages and forgot all about his instruction duty, the driver came to a steep and sharp bend while on high speed and lost control of the vehicle,`Malingika explained.
Manyara Regional Police Commander, Luther Mbutu, confirmed the incident, adding that police investigations continued as the manhunt for the run away driver was in full gear.
Dr. Gaare named the 11 passengers in critical condition as Joyce Kakulwa, Happy Masale, Deogratius Madulu and Kimboi.
Others are Wedi Makaba, Levina Masali, Rosemary Edmundi, Dorothea Deogratius, Violet Mussa, Philip Kapunya and a 22-year-old young man who was still unconscious. These are admitted to KCMC.
Survivors admitted to Manyara Regional Hospital are Mkumbo Shani, Simbaya Mkenzu, Mabere Sai, Richard Stephen, James Jumanne and Monica Clemennt.
Others are Mathias Masunga, Grace Robert, Ahamadi Haruna, Phanuel Daniel, Lukuba Dawa, Juma Erasto, Julian Andrew and Edward Edwin.
The rest are Naomi Mhoja, Nyakati Lekule, Ali Rajabu, John Malindika, Kwaya Nark, Kayoko Aloyce, Moses Almaftaha, Edward Naohor, Vivian Mkumbo, Suzan Samson, Mwanakombo Ali, Abdallah Omari, and a ten-month old baby reportedly with parents from Muheza, Tanga.
|
