‘Negligence source of accident that injured 16 MPs’

DODOMA: SIXTEEN Members of Parliament were injured in an accident yesterday involving a bus they were travelling on and a truck. The incident occurred in the Mbande area in Kongwa District, Dodoma Region.

Dodoma Regional Police Commander, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP), George Katabazi, confirmed the incident –attributing the crash to negligence on the part of the bus driver.

Two parliamentary officers and the driver of the bus bearing registration number T149EGM, owned by Shabiby Bus Company, also sustained injuries. They were travelling to Mombasa, Kenya to participate in the East African Community Inter-Parliamentary Games.

“The accident also left two parliamentary officials and the bus driver identified as Juma Said Juma injured, bringing the total number of those admitted to Benjamin Mkapa Hospital, Kongwa District Hospital, Chamwino Hospital and Dodoma Hospital to 19,” said SACP Katabazi.

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SACP Katabazi explained that the driver was attempting to overtake a cargo truck when another vehicle approached from the opposite direction.

In an attempt to avoid a head-on collision, the bus veered off, hitting the truck’s trailer and causing the accident.

“The driver attempted to overtake a vehicle ahead in a no-overtaking zone, leading to the collision and the bus veering more than 15 metres off the road,” he said.

He added; “The bus driver is under police custody for further interrogation while receiving treatment,” he added.

SACP Katabazi appealed to all road users including drivers to adhere to road safety signs and traffic laws, as compliance will help avert and reduce the number of road accidents.