One passenger died and three others escaped with minor injuries in a road accident in which a Tanzanian truck plunged into a stream on Wednesday at Zumwanda area near Elephant Rock along Raiply -Mzuzu M1 Road in Mzimba District.

According to Mzimba Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Peter Botha, the vehicle registration number T669AGG – IT – 1188BQR which was being driven by a Tanzanian National, John Ndila, 27 was heading for Raiply from Mzuzu.

The truck belongs to Aviko Investments of Arusha in Tanzania and it was destined for Raiply to ferry plywood.

Botha said the driver of the vehicle, which had four passengers on board, was dozing and lost control of the vehicle which later plunged into a stream.

“It is reported that the driver was dozing, as a result he lost control of the vehicle and it swerved to the right dirty verge of the road before plunging into a stream,” said Botha.

He said one of the passengers, Ambele Mboma of Mwenimambwe Village in the area of Traditional Authority Wansambo in Karonga District died on the spot due to head injuries.

Ndila hails from Kwimba in Mwanza District in Tanzania. The police are hunting for the accused, who is at large, for causing death by reckless driving.

Mzimba Police is, therefore, advising transport companies to dispatch two drivers on long trips to avoid road accidents due to the drivers’ fatigue.