Road worker ‘shot’ during prison break

 By JUNIOR UKAHA 

AN employee of a road construction company in Lae was shot during the mass prison escape at the Buimo Jail last Thursday, police say.

Alex Silvanduo, 36, from Yangoru, East Sepik, a crusher supervisor with Shorncliff, was shot in the abdomen allegedly by warders who were firing at escaped prisoners.

Lae Metropolitan commander Supt Anthony Wagambie Jr confirmed the shooting of a civilian and that investigations were underway.

Shorncliff human resources manager Charles Moreva said Silvanduo was among seven employees working on a crusher between 1.30pm and 2pm when they heard gun shots coming from the prison premises.

“One of the stray bullets hit him (Silvanduo) in his abdomen. We rushed him (Silvanduo) to the Lae International Hospital (LIH) where he was operated on,” Moreva said.

He said the company had written to the Correctional Services expressing its concern over the shooting.

Acting CS Commissioner Bernard Nepo said yesterday he was not made aware of the shooting of any civilian during the jail break.