Students killed on eve of graduation

By ELLEN TIAMU
TWO University of Technology students who are to graduate tomorrow have been killed in a car accident.
Unitech vice-chancellor Albert Schram has described the incident as “terrible news” saying the graduation “will be a celebration with tears”.
“Despite this tragedy we need to find the strength to continue with the preparation for the graduation on Friday,” he said.
“It will be a celebration with tears and our thoughts and prayers are with the family members.”
Provincial police commander David Warap said the accident took place at Tanam village, near Nadzab Airport, 40km from Lae city.
Police have not released their names but it is understood that they were from East New Britain province.
One of them was to have graduated with a degree in survey and land use. The other was to have been awarded a diploma in the same field.
Police said there were five occupants in the rental vehicle  four students and the father of one of them.
Police believe the driver had tried to avoid a pothole, allegedly at speed, when the vehicle overturned and rolled several times, killing the two students.
The father of one of the students was seriously injured.