Man and two children drown in boat mishap

THREE people, including two children under five, have died in a fatal banana boat accident in Manus on New Year Eve.
The adult, a former soldier stationed at Taurama Barracks, was an employee of the Manus provincial health division.
Police in Lorengau said the banana boat they were travelling in had capsized between Loniu Bridge, on the main island, and its destination, Lou Island, 30km to the south. 
They could not give the exact time of the mishap.
The boat was carrying 11 people and cargo.
Sources said the passengers could have swum ashore to the mainland if not for winds of up to 20 knots.
The body of the adult male was found at Lako village and the boat and floating cargo near Solang village, on Lou Island, where the eight survivors are recovering. 
It is understood that this is the first time that Lou Islanders have died at sea.