By ORCHY REX
FIVE members of the Central Highway Patrol Unit are now receiving medical treatment after sustaining serious injuries in a traffic accident along the Maggi Highway last Saturday.
The accident occurred on the 12th of July, at around 2pm at the Barakau junction in Central Province and involved a police trooper truck and a dump truck belonging to a local construction company.
Central Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Chief Inspector Joseph Salle confirmed the incident and said the policemen were on routine patrol from Tubusereia to Gaire when the accident happened.
“A white truck coming from Gaire overtook another truck and lost control, colliding with the police vehicle which was maintaining its lane,” he said.
PPC Salle added that the impact of the crash was severe, damaging both vehicles and leaving all five officers seriously injured. The dump truck driver fled the scene immediately and is currently on the run.
“The dump truck is higher than the trooper truck so the impact on the police vehicle was serious and affected the police officers. They were rushed to the hospital by St. John’s Ambulance.
Police units from both NCD and Central Province responded, managing to identify eyewitnesses and take possession of the police officers’ property.
“I want to thank the police units for their quick response, which assisted the police officers and both vehicles involved in the accident. The police officers are now carrying out the investigation.”
The injured policemen are: Sergeant Peter Mondo (driver); Xavier Lausi; Felix Moi; Arnold Asaiah; and Gordon Naki.
Chief Inspector Salle appealed to the driver of the dump truck to surrender.
“The police traffic units have begun their investigation, but they are yet to locate the driver of the dump truck, who is still on the run. He must surrender to the police and clear himself in court,” he said.
PPC Salle also expressed his gratitude to NCD/Central Commander Benjamin Turi and NCD Metropolitan Superintendent for their support in ensuring that the injured officers received immediate medical care.
“Authorities are urging anyone with further information on the whereabouts of the dump truck driver to come forward and assist police in their investigation,” he said.