Police report two deaths related to traffic accidents

POLICE in Manus have reported two traffic accidents that resulted in the deaths of two men.
Manus police commander Chief Insp David Yapu said the first accident happened at the ward three market at around 2am on Sunday when a tipper truck ran over a man on the side of the road.
He said the body of the deceased, Posing Sato, from Rossum village, was at the morgue while the driver of the truck, Sylvester Lambert, 33, was arrested and in police custody.
Chief Insp Yapu said the second accident happened the following day around 10.30pm when a five-door Landcruiser hit a man on the road leading to Lorengau Hospital.
The victim was rushed to the hospital, but died later.
The deceased was identified as Batis Potihin, from Mokereng village in Los Negros local level government (LLG).
The driver, Mark Petsol Saliau, 34, from Lowa village in Lelemadih Bupichupen LLG, was arrested and charged with dangerous driving causing death and detained.
Chief Insp Yapu said both drivers would appear in the Lorengau Committal Court this week.
He said both men were suspected of drink driving.
Chief Insp Yapu warned individuals who were drinking not to drive as the risk of causing injury or death to others and themselves was high.
“My officers will soon be conducting their police operations for the Christmas and New Year period and will set up road blocks to check drivers,” he said.
“Any driver found drinking and driving will be arrested and charged and locked up.”
Chief Insp Yapu appealed to the people of Manus to celebrate Christmas and New Year sensibly.