SIX KILLED IN MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ALONG HIGHLANDS HIGHWAY

By Samuel Raitano

In Jiwaka Province, a tragic accident has left six people dead and two others in critical condition at Mt Hagen General Hospital.
The incident happened on Sunday at around 2 PM.
This records a second fatal road accident in a week, of which, one occured earlier on Tuesday, involving a pmv along the Okuk highway, a section in the Kasam pass area, living five people dead

Police in Western Highlands confirmed that the recent accident in Mt Hagen occured when a twin steer truck traveling from Lae to Mt Hagen veered off the road and crashed into a roadside market at Kuli Gap in Aviamp.

The truck ran over four women and two men, killing them instantly.

Some of the victims were dragged under the truck, and their bodies remain trapped.

Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander John Sagom reported that the driver and a passenger have surrendered to police and are in custody at Mt Hagen Police Station.

An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the accident and police are asking the public for any information that could help with the investigation.

PPC Sagom has urged people living and working along the Jiwaka-Western Highlands section of the highway to stay at least 14 meters away from the road for safety.

He also advised all travelers to be cautious and think about others’ safety.

Meanwhile Jiwaka Provincial Police Commander Albert Korin says locals set up a roadblock at the site of the accident this morning demanding compensation.

Police intervened and have since cleared the road and are closely monitoring the situation.