School children injured in morning road accident

The National Main Stories
Right Top & Bottom: The bus involved in the accident. – Picture courtesy of PMGH

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
SEVEN children were injured in a horrific road accident yesterday morning near Edai Town, along the Papa-Lealea road in Central.
A statement from the Port Moresby General Hospital where they were admitted said the seven were aged between seven and 15.
It said the hospital emergency department received casualties from the road accident with:

  • TWO with lower limb threats/amputation;
  • TWO with compound fractures; and,
  • THREE with soft tissue injuries awaiting x-ray.

Mother Norma Dalu Heritrenggi, whose seven-year-old daughter sustained compound fracture, said she was really worried about that.
“Firstly, I was worried if she’s going to walk again.
“But the doctors said her injury is not that serious so she can walk again,” she said.
“If she can’t walk, it’s going to be really hurtful to us as parents.
“But they assured us that she’s going to be okay.
“We’re looking forward to her recovery.
“We’ll take care of here at the hospital until she’s fully recovered.”
Police are investigating the accident involving a bus used to transport school children from Edai town.
It is understood that it was on its way Port Moresby when the driver swerved suddenly and hitting a guardrail.
Pictures provided to police showed the bus damaged by the guardrail from the front to the back.
The back of the bus was torn open with the back seat ripped in half.
Traffic police were unable to provide further details of the accident yesterday.