KAPIRI MPOSHI - The death toll from the Baptist Church bus crash in Kapiri Mposhi District has risen to five after the driver of the ill-fated Toyota Hiace minibus died while receiving treatment in hospital.
The driver, Derick Mushimba, had initially survived the crash with a fractured right hand and multiple injuries but succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of Monday at Kabwe Central Hospital.
The accident occurred on Sunday evening in the Kabowa area, about 13 kilometres south of Kapiri Mposhi Town, when the Toyota Hiace carrying 24 passengers overturned after the driver allegedly lost control due to excessive speed.
Central Province Police Commanding Officer Lemekani Chirwa confirmed that the driver's death has increased the number of fatalities from four to five.
Police have identified three of the four passengers who died at the scene as Natasha Sangambo, 20, of Makululu Compound in Kabwe, Angela Ngoma, 32, of Nagoli Compound in Kabwe, and Mathews Musonda, 30, of Mine Area in Kabwe.
The identity of the fourth passenger who died at the scene has not yet been released.
Meanwhile, 13 passengers who sustained serious injuries remain admitted to hospital.
Five female passengers have been referred to Kabwe Central Hospital for specialised treatment, while eight others, comprising six women and two men, continue receiving treatment at Kapiri Mposhi District Hospital.
Police investigations into the cause of the accident are continuing.