Three people have died while two others have sustained serious injuries in a road accident that occurred after a vehicle they were travelling in came into a head-on collision with a Ulemu Bus services (UBS) bus in Nkhotakota on Wednesday.

The accident occurred at Kamwatonga along Nkhotakota- Nkhata Bay road in the district.

Police have identified the deceased as Lazalo Chikadza, 39 (driver of the Toyota Corsa saloon), Lucia Dominic, 71, of Zangawekha Village, Traditional Authority Kanyenda in Nkhotakota District and Dominic whose full particulars are not yet known.

According to Nkhunga Police Deputy Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Thandiwe Maseko Mshanga, the accident involved a scania bus belonging to Ulemu BUS Services registration number BT8595, which was coming from Blantyre going to Mzuzu.

She said the bus was being driven by Ekiloni Ngwaya 68, of Mtonda Village, Traditional Authority Mpama in Chiradzulu District.

“Upon arrival at Kamwatonga, he failed to keep to his nearside and went to offside opposite lane where he collided head-on with Toyota Corsa saloon registration number CZ2291, which was coming from the opposite direction with five passengers on board,” she said.

Mshanga said three people from the Toyota Corsa died on the spot and other two passengers from the same vehicle identified as Denis Chikweza, 29 and Andrea Chikwaza sustained serious injuries.

The latter two, from Zangawekha Village in Traditional Authority Kanyenda in Nkhotakota District were referred to Nkhotakota District Hospital.

The bus has its front part damaged while the saloon vehicle got extensively damaged.

The incident has happened barely a week after another bus belonging to Ulemu Bus Services was also involved in an accident leaving many passengers injured in the same district.

Meanwhile, police are advising all road users in the country to observe road precautions for safety.