By Bill W. Cooper
The Japanese Freeway Drive, outside Monrovia, was a scene of panic, after one supporter of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) was reported dead and several others injured, following a tragic motor accident.
The sad incident happened yesterday, September 7, 2023, during the much anticipated campaign launch by the CDC, as the situation has now cast a shadow over what was meant to be a momentous occasion for the CDC.
The CDC campaign launch was aimed at rallying Liberians about the reelection of President George M. Weah and the CDC, in the upcoming October 10 General Elections, but has undoubtedly been marred by this unfortunate occurrence.
The incident, according to eyewitness accounts, occurred when a commercial tricycle (kehkeh) and motorbike carrying CDC supporters, collided with a yellow bus belonging to the Invincible Eleven Majestic Sports Association.
The rider of the tricycle, who is yet to be identified, was reported to be dead, while two other female victims were later rushed to a nearby clinic by some of those who came on the scene when the incident occurred.
According to the eyewitness, the victims were in a celebratory mood while on their way to form part of the official CDC campaign launch at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium (ATS) in Monrovia.
One onlooker spoken to, identified as Snowboy, said, “I was standing on the scene and the only thing I saw was the bus dragging them here and the other woman’s foot got broken in the process.”
He added, “And everybody was confused and we started looking for kehkeh to put her in and carry her to the hospital, but the kehkeh driver was left lying down on the ground because he was seen as already dead.”
Furthermore, as onlookers and passers-by couldn’t hold back their tears while taking a glance of the incident, some officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) later went on the scene to begin investigation of the incident.
Meanwhile, as news of the accident broke, some Liberians took to social media to express their shock and sympathy, calling for a comprehensive review of safety protocols to prevent such unfortunate incidents, during this political campaign period.
