Kyotera accident claims 3

ACIDENT     LORRY    RICE     DEATH   TANZANIA

Three people on Tuesday died instantly when a truck (canter) registration number UBD 074M, which they were traveling in, swayed off the road into a swamp.

The incident occurred at Jongoza village about three kilometres in Kalisizo at around 5:00pm.

The deceased were identified as Muhammed Katumba (the driver), Elias Kibuule and John Kasawuli of Buyanja.

Eyewitnesses said the truck driver lost control of the speeding truck laden with over 100 bags of rice.

Paul Kangave, the regional Police spokesperson, said they retrieved the three bodies from the swamp and took them to Kalisizo Hospital for postmortem.

However, upon realising that all the occupants had died, rescuers mainly area residents and passersby decided to loot the truck of the rice it contained.

Several were seen carrying several sacks on their shoulders and motorcycles. They said the rice would get soaked in the water if it was not taken.

"If we leave it on the truck it will still be wasted in the water," one of the looters argued.

They further alleged that the rice was contraband from Tanzania, a reason the driver was speeding to elude anti-smuggling officers, who were purportedly following them. But police could not confirm claims.

The Police later towed the wreckage to Kalisizo police Station parking yard pending inspection and investigations (Kyotera TAR 22/2019)

Meanwhile, family members of the deceased were advised to contact Kalisizo Hospital authorities to claim the bodies.