Students die after lorry rams into Uganda classroom

Ghanaian Times

Thu 16th Mar, 2023 08:23

Three Ugandan students were killed after a lorry rammed into their classroom at a school near the capital, Kampala.

At least 18 other learners were injured in the incident at Kasaka Secondary School on Tuesday after­noon. The lorry got nearly halfway into the building and tore up part of the roof.

Uganda police say the lorry driver lost control and drove through the school fence before hitting the school’s computer laboratory that was occupied by students.

The driver, a 26-year-old man, has been arrested to help with investiga­tions, police said.

The school is located in the coun­try’s central district of Gomba, about 130km (80 miles) away from Kampa­la. Learning has been suspended for weeks and the students sent home.

The accident happened at around 3:30 pm when the driver of Sino truck lost control of the vehicle and veered into the school computer Lab that was occupied by students and killed three on the spot. 18 other students were injured in the process and were immediately evac­uated to the nearby medical facilities to receive treatment, local media reported, sourcing Traffic Police Spokesperson, Assistant Superin­tendent of Police (ASP), Faridah Nampiim.

Mr Kefasi Katumba, the school head teacher, said that the driver of the ill-fated Sinotruk truck first hit the school gate before crashing into the computer lab and Senior Four West classroom.

“The driver seems to have failed to negotiate the corner and thought the truck will stop if he hits the school gate. Unfortunately, it just continued moving, crashing into the computer lab where it killed two students on the spot and injured several others.

“At least three students are confirmed dead and several others injured following the fatal acci­dent at Kasaka Secondary School in Gomba, after the truck driver rammed into one of the buildings on Tuesday afternoon,” Mr Katum­ba said.

Management of the school has reportedly sent other students home until next Monday as they recover from shock following the tragedy. —BBC/africanews.com

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