Survivor found in bush as eight die in crash

 By DOROTHY MARK

A 53-YEAR-old man survived an accident that claimed the lives of eight others in Bundi, Madang, last Friday.

Albert Mondu was found in tall grass near the Imbrum River that flows into the Ramu River. He is the only survivor of the 10-seater vehicle plunging off a cliff.

It is believed he was thrown out of the vehicle by the impact and landed in a bush.

The accident took place at about 10am and authorities were alerted between 3pm and 4pm when Mondu was taken from Brahman to Marengo Mining’s helipad and flown to Modilon Hospital by the company’s helicopter.

A source said a hired 10-seater vehicle belonging to a hire car company and carrying nine passengers, all from Bundi, were travelling from Bundi to Madang town when the vehicle went off a cliff, crashed and plunged into the Imbrum River, killing eight people, including the driver.

According to the source, four bodies, including that of the driver, were found and taken to Modilon Hospital last Saturday. 

Two other bodies were retrieved on Sunday were reportedly those of a Grade 8 girl and her brother, a Grade 10 student of Braham High School.

An officer from Modilon Hospital, Mark Makili confirmed six bodies were in the morgue.

Health workers, police and local authorities, with assistance from Ramu NiCo and Marengo mines, have been searching for the two unaccounted people.

One of the dead was said to be Thomas Monda, a leader of the Bundi people in Madang, Walium and Bundi. 

His son Carlos reportedly died as well in the accident.