Gruesome accident claims 19 lives
The road between Daru and Baima along the Kenema Pendembu highway is a narrow old railway track with a series of curves. Vehicular traffic on this road is always dreadful but it is the shortest route used by motorists to Kailahun and the popular border marketing town of Koindu. Trucks plying this route normally travel at night and business people risk boarding the trucks in their business venture. Most of the trucks are often loaded with consignments ranging from building materials to foodstuff. The blend of human beings and cargo during their normal night trip makes these journeys more dangerous and prone to accidents.
Nineteen people met an untimely death along this road on Thursday, December 1, 2011 when a truck with registration number AAB 465 loaded with cements, iron rods, palm oil and some other consignments heading for Koindu somersaulted close to Benduma village 3 kilometres from Daru town. The accident took place at about 11:30pm and according to one of the survivors, the truck was avoiding a head-on collision with an oncoming vehicle when it ran into a ditch and somersaulted. It is believed that the casualties suffered death as a result of the loads hitting them.
Among those that died and conveyed to the Kenema Government Hospital mortuary was a police sergeant, 2 under five children, 10 female and 6 men most of them business people.
According to sources, 2 other deaths occurred at Segbwema Friday morning from the same accident. If this statement is anything to go by, the number of casualties has increased to 21. Families and sympathizers continue to storm the mortuary to identify their loved ones who lost their lives in this gruesome accident.
Meanwhile, corpses already identified have been handed over to relatives for internment.
It is indeed a sad loss especially on the first day of a festive month. We extend our heartfelt condolence to the bereaved families. May the souls of the departed rest in peace.
Sylvestre Sidie Kallon, AHRO
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2011, https:. All rights reserved.
