Nine children in hospital after crash

NINE children were hospitalised with injuries after a two-vehicle collision at Independence Boulevard junction on Sunday.
Metropolitan commander Supt Gideon Ikumu said the vehicles were travelling in opposite directions when they collided.
“One vehicle was travelling from the Kumul Avenue, Telikom Rumana, and the other was coming down Waigani Drive when both drivers failed to slow down at the first traffic lights intersection.”
St John chief executive officer Matt Cannon emphasised on safety and the wearing of seat belts on moving vehicles.
“This is a timely reminder that transporting people in the tray of a vehicle is very unsafe.
“Drivers transporting unrestrained passengers must exercise a high degree of care and travel slowly. You can save lives by wearing a seat belt.
“It is law in Papua New Guinea that vehicle passengers must wear seat belts if it is available.
“There is simply no excuse for not wearing a seat belt in a passenger vehicle,” he added. Cannon said a spate of serious road accidents would almost always occur during the Christmas holidays.
“And most of the people with severe injuries are those not wearing seat belts.
“The incident occurred at a known accident hotspot.
“It is understood that the children were in the tray of the vehicle travelling back from the village on a Ford Ranger.
“All nine children were admitted in Port Moresby General Hospital with one child in critical condition,” he added.