THREE people have died while two others have been hospitalised following a road traffic accident that happened in Chinsali District in Muchinga Province on Sunday.

Muchinga Province Police Commissioner, Dennis Moola confirmed the incident in a statement made available to the Zambia News and information services ZANIS on Monday.

ZANIS reports that Mr. Moola said that the incident occurred at 17:00 hours in Mulakupikwa area six kilometers north of Chinsali turn off along the great north road.

He explained that the accident happened when the driver of the truck misjudged clearance distance and in the process hit the motor vehicle which had five passengers on board from behind causing the vehicle to career off the Road and overturn.

Mr. Moola further said the vehicles involved were a Honda CR-V which was being driven by Florence Kabugo Chileshe 46 and a Tata prima truck and trailer, bearing registration number BCE 8654/ BAZ 568 T, loaded with copper concentrate adding that both vehicles were heading south.

He identified the deceased as Silvia Mumbi 36, Brenda Nachilima 44 and Florence Kabugo Chileshe 46 while Linda Chilamo 46 and Edwin Njobvu 30, are nursing injuries in Chinsali General Hospital.

Mr. Moola has since confirmed that the truck driver who is unknown is at large and that Investigations have been instituted.

“The truck which is loaded with copper concentrates is still at the scene as the driver who is unknown is at large,” he said.

He said the bodies of the deceased have been deposited into the Chinsali General Hospital Mortuary awaiting post mortem examination.