Killer lorry was not roadworthy
Oct 06, 2003
DETAILS emerging yesterday suggested that the monster lorry which sparked the multiple accident at the Jinja dam was unroadworthy.
By Vision Reporter
DETAILS emerging yesterday suggested that the monster lorry which sparked the multiple accident at the Jinja dam was unroadworthy.
The Police yesterday also launched investigations into the road worthiness of the Kenya-bound Mercedes Benz trailer UAE 765T/ 907 UBR belonging to Charles Ondoa, an Arua businessman.
Police spokesman Asuman Mugenyi yesterday said the lorry, which ploughed into a Mbiko-bound minibus after its driver, Rashid, lost control following a brake failure, had before suffered numerous mechanical break-downs.
Mugenyi said the tobacco-laden lorry heading to Thika, Kenya, had taken off from Awuzi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in July but suffered an engine knock on the way and was repaired in Namanve, a city suburb.
He said shortly after the repairs, at 8:00pm on Saturday night, the trailer took off from Namanve but developed problems with its brakes as it approached Mukono.
“We have got all those reports and we are investigating the road worthiness of the truck. If found to have been in a dangerous mechanical condition then the law will take its course,†Mugenyi said.
The trailer then took off from Mukono at 8:00am on Sunday after a night stop but suffered another brake failure in Njeru, opposite the Nile Breweries premises and hurtled towards the bridge with the head lamps on, signaling danger,†Mugenyi said.
Moments later the trailer collided with the minibus, causing a series of collisions, resulting in about three vehicles plunging into the river. The trailer was brought to a halt when a policeman opened fire, deflating a front tyre.
DETAILS emerging yesterday suggested that the monster lorry which sparked the multiple accident at the Jinja dam was unroadworthy.
The Police yesterday also launched investigations into the road worthiness of the Kenya-bound Mercedes Benz trailer UAE 765T/ 907 UBR belonging to Charles Ondoa, an Arua businessman.
Police spokesman Asuman Mugenyi yesterday said the lorry, which ploughed into a Mbiko-bound minibus after its driver, Rashid, lost control following a brake failure, had before suffered numerous mechanical break-downs.
Mugenyi said the tobacco-laden lorry heading to Thika, Kenya, had taken off from Awuzi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in July but suffered an engine knock on the way and was repaired in Namanve, a city suburb.
He said shortly after the repairs, at 8:00pm on Saturday night, the trailer took off from Namanve but developed problems with its brakes as it approached Mukono.
“We have got all those reports and we are investigating the road worthiness of the truck. If found to have been in a dangerous mechanical condition then the law will take its course,†Mugenyi said.
The trailer then took off from Mukono at 8:00am on Sunday after a night stop but suffered another brake failure in Njeru, opposite the Nile Breweries premises and hurtled towards the bridge with the head lamps on, signaling danger,†Mugenyi said.
Moments later the trailer collided with the minibus, causing a series of collisions, resulting in about three vehicles plunging into the river. The trailer was brought to a halt when a policeman opened fire, deflating a front tyre.