Life-threatening tragedy was narrowly averted very early Friday morning when a Power Tools public service vehicle caught fire along the Great North Road in Kabangwe, courtesy of its sharp driver.
According to a statement issued by the Kabangwe Traffic Police, the accident occurred at approximately 04:00 hours along the opposite side of Goodman Hardware. The bus was a Zhongtong brand carrying the registration number AIB 8569 and owned by Power Tools Company. It was on its way from Lusaka’s Intercity Bus Terminus to Kitwe with an unknown number of passengers.
The 38-year-old driver, Bellington Mwape of Zanimuone neighborhood, noticed a pungent smell and fumes issuing out from the engine as the car was driving towards Chaisa Compound. He promptly pulled over at Chaisa Bus Stop and instructed all the passengers to disembark, rescuing them first.
Seconds after, in an attempt to propel the bus to a nearby garage for inspection, the bus allegedly caught fire—reportedly as a result of a mechanical failure of flaming airbags. Mwape managed to leap off the bus while it was in motion, which subsequently veered to the eastern side of the road and was completely consumed by fire.
Fortunately, there were no indications of any injuries, and all passengers were safely evacuated before the blaze.
Zambia Police Service applauded Mwape for being on the lookout and acting in a timely manner, taking the accolades for averting what could have been a disaster.
This was said in a statement by Police Spokesperson Rea Hamoonga.
