Put passengers first, drivers told

 DRIVERS travelling along rural roads in Morobe have been urged to put the safety of their passengers first. 

Provincial police commander Chief Supt Kaiglo Ambane said that yesterday after an initial police investigation report into the fatal Wafi-Golpu mine access road accident last Sunday ruled the accident was caused by driver error. 

Three people were killed and 84 others, mostly children from Gebensis village, Wampar local level government, Morobe, were injured.

“Initial investigations revealed that the driver was at fault,” Ambane said.

“He (driver) had lost control of the vehicle, resulting in the accident.”

Ambane said the vehicle was overloaded and most of the passengers on board were children who were traumatised after the accident.

“The people on board the truck were too many and we concluded that it was overloaded,” Ambane said.

He said Morobe was known for heavy rainfall and roads in rural areas often got slippery and difficult to negotiate, increasing chances of accidents.

“Drivers must not drink and drive.

“They must check their vehicle to ensure it is road worthy before taking it out. They have been told this when they were issued licences.” 

Ambane said as soon as police completed their investigation, they would charge the driver.