By Stanley Nkhondoyachepa-Mana

Four people have died and several others injured in Nkhotakota, when the vehicle they were travelling in got involved in an accident on M18 Nkhufi road inside Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve early hours on Monday.

Nkhotakota Police Station Spokesperson, Sergeant Paul Malimwe said that the accident involved a motor vehicle registration number BX 2016 Mazda two tonner which was coming from Kasungu to Nkhotakota.

He said the vehicle had 17 passengers on board who were coming from a tombstone unveiling ceremony.

“Upon arrival at Mtayamphasa in Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, the driver failed to negotiate a curve and lost control of the vehicle due to over speeding and overturned,” Mwalimwe said.

According to Spokesperson, three people were pronounced dead upon arrival at Nkhotakota District Hospital while one died while receiving treatment.

He identified the deceased as four year old, Aaron Raphael, Chifeni Gafuled, 33, Helena Chiwasa, 45, and Elita Chilima, 21.

Raphael and Chiwasa hailed from Chiwaula Village while Gafuledi hailed from Chanika village, in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Malengachanzi in Nkhotakota and Chilima hailed from Mnjowe village, TA Chilowoko in Ntchisi district.

Meanwhile, the driver is reported to be on the run, and according to Malimwe, if found, will answer a charge of causing death by reckless driving.