Seven killed as bus crashes into building at Bunda
SEVEN people died, six on the spot, after the bus they were travelling in from Serengeti to Mwanza lost control and crashed into a building at Bunda in Mara Region yesterday morning.
Mara Regional Police Commander (RPC)
Philip Kalangi said 24 passengers have been admitted to Bunda DDH
Hospital, while five among the
critically injured were rushed to Bugando
Medical Centre in Mwanza for more treatment.
He said the bus, of Scania make,
christened ‘Natta Raha’ with registration number T473 CJN, plying from
Serengeti to Mwanza,countered brake failure thus losing control before
it overturned at Bunda area.
“The driver failed to control the bus
after the brake failure. He fled immediately after the accident and the
police are looking for him,” said the RPC.
The medical officer-on-duty at the
emergency department of Bugando Medical Centre BMC, Dr Deogratius
Ngaiza, told the ‘Daily News’ that the five casualties were received at
15:30 pm from the scene of accident.
“We received five casualties. One of
them died on the way while being rushed to Bugando for more medical
treatment,” said Dr Ngaiza.
According to one casualty, Chacha Omahe Natta, the bus left Mugumu in Serengeti District at 6:30 am for Mwanza at normal speed.
Shortly, afterwards, one of the tyres
burst after which the bus staff did everything possible to make sure the
journey proceeded.
Mr Chacha said that after fixing the
puncture, the bus took at a high speed, which alarmed passengers who
planned to inform the traffic police on the speed.
According to Dr Ngaiza, the other
injured persons were out of danger although it was too early to
discharge them until doctors have performed thorough medical check-ups
as some of them were still complaining of pain.
