GBARNGA, Bong – A fatal road accident has killed three people in Gbarnga. The accident, involving a Mitsubishi silver jeep and a blue and black TVS motorcycle, occurred Saturday afternoon at the bridge entering Gbarnga from Monrovia.

According to the deputy traffic commander of the Bong Police Detachment, Mamadee M. Kanneh, the vehicle carrying eight occupants was headed for Nimba from Monrovia when it hit the motorcyclist carrying a woman from Gbarnga towards the Phebe Hospital direction.

Kanneh said the two riders of the motorbike died instantly during the accident while one of the eight occupants in the vehicle died upon arrival to the Phebe Hospital for medical attention.

“Even though we are still conducting investigations into the cause of the accident, it appears like the driver of the vehicle was speeding,” Kanneh said.

Kanneh identified the deceased as Diomande Issouf, an Ivorian citizen who was in the jeep, and Hawa King of Bong who rode on the back of the motorcycle. He said the motorcycle operator’s identity has yet to be established. The bodies of King and the motorcyclist have been deposited at the St. Kennedy Funeral Home in Gbarnga, according to Kanneh. He revealed that Issouf has been buried.

“AFL personnel Nelson Bue and his wife Agnes Bue, Beatrice Dahn, Esther Fobay, David Begler and Dominic Sergren (the driver), sustained fractures and are currently receiving medical treatment at the Phebe Hospital. Another passenger, Fatu Mandu, has been discharged from the hospital,” Kanneh disclosed.

Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman’s arrival on the accident scene. Photo: Moses Bailey.

Minutes after the accident, Inspector General Gregory Coleman, and an array of police officers arrived on the scene. Coleman’s convoy stopped for several minutes and the inspector general was seen instructing traffic police officers to manage the scene of the accident.

Road accidents have become very regular along the Suakoko Highway since the road was paved. Bong’s police traffic commander, Augustine S. Kannah, has attributed most of the accidents to “over speeding by drivers.” He wants motorists to observe all the traffic rules and avoid speeding.

Featured photo by Moses Bailey