Drink-driving warning made after two die in road crash

By JUNIOR UKAHA
A sobering consequence in the aftermath of a birthday party that left two people dead in a road accident in East New Britain has prompted police to warn drivers against drink-driving as Christmas approaches.
Provincial police commander Joseph Tabali said four people were travelling in a vehicle along Toma Road when the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit a concrete pavement at the side, causing the vehicle to roll five times.
The accident happened near Baliora on Saturday at around midday. Tabali claimed the occupants of the vehicle police knew of “were heavily drunk,” as they had been drinking since Friday.
“The off-sider in the vehicle was killed instantly on impact,” he said.
“Another occupant was rushed to the Vunapope Hospital but he was pronounced dead on arrival.”
Tabali said another passenger was seriously injured but the driver could not be found.
“I appeal to drivers not to drink and drive,” Tabali said.
“We are approaching the Christmas and New Year period and these are times when many accidents happen,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tabali said police in the province will start a Christmas and New Year operations on the 17th. He said police would carry out random roadblocks, beef-up presence in areas where commercial and business houses were located, execute outstanding bench warrants and conduct raids at locations
where escapees were believed to be hiding.