Eighteen people have sustained serious injuries and are admitted at Solwezi General Hospital after they were involved in a road traffic accident that happened yesterday on the Kasempa – Mutanda road in Kalumbila District of North-Western Province.

Provincial Police Commanding Officer, Dennis Moola, confirmed the development in a statement made available to the media in Solwezi indicating that among the victims, is a five-year old male juvenile identified as Gift Simbeya of Mufumbwe District.

Mr Moola said the accident happened when the driver, Simonda Musiyalike, aged 41, who was driving a Toyota Hiace minibus Registration number ATB 8188 coming from west to eastern direction, failed to negotiate a curve due to excessive speed and careered off the road and  hit into  a tree.

He said the driver who is said to be a resident of Kimale area in Kalumbila sustained a swollen right arm and general body pains.

Mr Moola said the police have since instituted investigations into the matter.