Senior cop dies in road accident

 By ELIAS LARI

A SENIOR police officer has died after his vehicle veered off a bridge early yesterday morning.

Police confirmed that Highlands (Western end) commander Teddy Tei was heading to his village in Mul-Baiyer from Mt Hagen at around 2am when the accident happened.

The vehicle is believed to have fallen off the Gumanch Bridge on the border of the Hagen and Mul-Baiyer electorates. 

Tei comes from the Nenga tribe in Mul-Baiyer.

Western Highlands provincial police commander Chief Superintendent Martin Lakari described Tei’s death as “shocking” and “a great loss”.

“It is very shocking news and I on behalf of police officers in the province would like to pass on our condolences to his families and the Nenga tribe for the loss of a great leader,” Lakari said.

Tei was recently appointed the Highlands commander (western end) after serving as Assistant Police Commissioner (Highlands region) for four years. 

The three provinces which come under his command are Southern Highlands, Hela and Enga. 

His colleague Nema Mondia is in charge of the eastern end, including the provinces of Western Highlands, Jiwaka and Simbu.

Lakari said Tei had contributed a lot to the constabulary and police operations in the Highlands.

Acting Highlands divisional commander Chief Superintendent Jimmy Onopia said the accident took place in the early hours of yesterday “when no one could have been around”.

“The constabulary has lost one of its senior officers which has also created a big gap,” he said.

Onopia confirmed that Tei’s body was at the Mt Hagen provincial hospital.

Police Commissioner Gari Baki said Tei’s body would be flown to Port Moresby. Funeral arrangements are being made and will  be known in coming days.

Chief Superintendent Kaiglo Ambane will be acting Highlands commander (western end).