By Precious D. Freeman & Bill W. Cooper
The Liberia National Police (LNP) has arrested and is investigating the operator of a Blue Renault Truck, Joseph Sao, who was involved into a tragic road traffic accident at the LMDI Junction along the Careysburg-Mount Barclay Highway.
According to preliminary traffic investigation report, the tragic accident occurred on Friday, May 31, 2024 about noon when the Mount Gilead Foundation School located in Careysburg Community was hosting its 1st Gala anniversary beginning with a parade.
The report further established that the truck was moving towards Mount Barclay when it ran into a crowd of bystanders who were witnessing the parade, thus resulting to the injuries of about 10 persons; three of whom were pronounced dead at medical facilities, while seven are being treated at the Fredai Health center and the Remedy Clinic.
Meanwhile, the Blue Renault Truck with plate number T5455 is in the custody of the Police as the proprietor of the Mount Gilead Foundation School, Samuel Galamue, is aiding the Police in the ongoing investigation.
The police expressed its heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families and urged the public to remain calm as the matter is being investigated.
Meanwhile, three people were killed and several injured in a tragic accident in Careysburg, when a speeding truck traveling from Kakata to Redlight lost control and crashed into a group of students and parents parading the streets during a junior school gala day celebration.
Eyewitnesses narrated that the truck, belonging to Mary’s Meals, a Catholic-run school feeding organization, reportedly lost control and that the driver, in an attempt to avoid hitting the parading students, swerved into the bystanders.
Also, two of the three victims have been identified and a 15-year-old girl reportedly died instantly, according to a medical report, while eight-year-old Satta Henry died at Remedy Hospital while undergoing treatment.
Younger W. Topoe, Officer-In-Charge at Remedy Hospital in Careysburg, stated that Satta Henry died as a result of internal bleeding after being rushed to the hospital while Ezekiel Nuoh from Peace Community, and three others were also brought to the hospital but were later referred to John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital due to the severity of their injuries.
Topoe also indicated that, aside from the 15-year-old girl pronounced dead on arrival, five other injured individuals were admitted to Remedy Hospital as one of them later died, and the remaining four were transferred to JFK.
She added that this is the second time for such incident along the Monrovia-Kakata Highway involving a truck losing control and injuring several people.
Meanwhile, the Police Spokesperson, Cecelia Clarke, confirmed the death of three people and stated that the driver of the vehicle is currently under LNP investigation, with school authorities assisting the police.
However, the latest incident has renewed calls for the Ministry of Education to ban schools from parading students on highways and busy streets in the name of schools celebrating gala anniversaries especially in unsafe environments or terrains.
