By Staff Reporter
NAPAK — Five people have been killed and several others seriously injured after a lorry carrying cattle and passengers overturned along the Moroto-Soroti highway in Napak District.
The accident occurred at Lodoon Village in Lorengechora Sub-county when the lorry, registration number UNHCR 543U, was travelling from Moroto towards Soroti.
Preliminary police findings indicate that the vehicle reportedly suffered a front tyre burst, causing the driver to lose control of the heavily loaded truck.
The lorry subsequently overturned several times, killing five people at the scene and leaving several others with serious injuries.
Karamoja Police spokesperson IP Mike Longole said investigations had been launched to establish the full circumstances surrounding the crash.
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“The tyre burst caused the vehicle to overturn several times, killing five people instantly, while several others sustained serious injuries,” Longole said.
A police team led by the officer in charge of Iriiri Police Post visited the scene and began investigations.
#Eyewitness cites alleged speeding
An eyewitness, Michael Lotyang, said the lorry was allegedly travelling at a high speed before the accident.
Lotyang said the vehicle’s speed, combined with the reported heavy load, may have contributed to the severity of the crash.
The vehicle was overspeeding. Some of these deaths could have been avoided if the driver had used an appropriate speed, especially because the vehicle was overloaded,” Lotyang said.
Police are expected to establish through their investigations whether speeding, overloading, mechanical failure or other factors contributed to the accident.
The lorry was reportedly carrying both cattle and passengers at the time of the crash.
#Injured taken to hospital
The injured victims were rushed to St Kizito Hospital Matany for treatment.
Details regarding the number of injured passengers and their condition had not been immediately released.
Police and other emergency responders worked at the scene as investigations continued.
The identities of those killed had also not been officially released by the authorities at the time of reporting.
#Police urge caution
Following the crash, police renewed their appeal to motorists and transport operators to observe road safety regulations.
Longole urged drivers to avoid overloading vehicles and ensure that their vehicles are mechanically sound before undertaking journeys.
Motorists were also reminded to maintain safe speeds and exercise caution, particularly when operating vehicles carrying heavy loads.
Road crashes remain a major concern in Uganda, with police regularly warning against speeding, overloading, reckless driving and operating vehicles that are not mechanically fit.
The Napak crash has once again drawn attention to the dangers associated with carrying passengers in overloaded goods vehicles, particularly over long distances.
Investigations into the accident are ongoing.
**Source:🇺🇬 Be Blessed
