BUS ACCIDENT BLOCKS YALI BRIDGE, DISRUPTING HIGHLANDS HIGHWAY TRAFFIC

BY JOSEPH QUAKES REMA

A coaster bus accident has blocked the Yali Bridge along the Ialibu-Mendi-Hagen road in Southern Highlands Province, disrupting traffic and forcing commuters to change vehicles on both sides of the bridge.

The accident occurred at about 11pm on Wednesday night when the bus reportedly collided with the bridge’s iron railing and ended up lodged across the bridge, completely blocking the roadway.

The impact caused extensive damage to the bus, with the driver sustaining serious injuries to his right leg.

The driver and another crew member were reportedly in critical condition and receiving treatment at Ialibu Hospital.

Passengers and other travellers were forced to get off vehicles on either side of the bridge and use other buses to continue their journeys into and out of Ialibu.
Ialibu police commander Simon Yatu said police were investigating the cause of the accident.

“It happened at around 11 o’clock last night, and the cause of the accident is yet to be established. We are still investigating,” Mr Yatu said.

He said efforts were underway to remove the damaged bus from the bridge to restore traffic flow.

“Right now, we are trying to pull the bus off the bridge so vehicles can travel to and from Ialibu,” he said.

The Yali Bridge is a major link for travellers between Ialibu, Mendi and Hagen, and the blockage has caused inconvenience to commuters and motorists.