Quick response by rescue teams

 By PISAI GUMAR

THE police ‘Eye in the Sky’ helicopter and Morobe Mining responded swiftly yesterday to evacuate casualties of attack on trekkers along the Black Cat Track in Morobe.  

The incident occurred at Banis Donkey between 4pm and 5pm, some distance away from Biawen village, Wau Rural in Bulolo district.

Sevens trekkers from Australia and one from New Zealand were accompanied by 18 porters. They began the journey on Tuesday morning.

Lapi Jack, a personal guide who witnessed the ambush said it was at dusk when the porters and foreign trekkers set up camp for the first night of the walk.

Six men armed with two guns and bush knives attacked them, wielding knives at the porters.

“Among the 18 local porters, six who escaped sustained severe wounds while two who fought back were killed,” Jack said.

Jack said after the attack, they contacted Wau police, the administration and whoever else they could get in touch with.

“We waited for next six hours until police arrived on site at 11pm and provided surveillance until Wednesday morning. Medical assistance arrived at 5am.”

Morobe Mining Joint Venture and the police ‘Eye in sky’ helicopters airlifted the six casualties and two bodies to Lae arriving there around 10am.

The Chemcare Group general manager Daniel King provided a van with support staff to assist the Lae district ambulance transport the casualties to the Angau Memorial Hospital.

All six were admitted at the Accident and Emergency Unit.  

Christie King, the owner and operator of PNG Trekking Adventures, and the eight foreign trekkers were escorted back to Wau by police.