By Bill W. Cooper
Montserrado County District 6 was on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 a scene of sadness by residents after a 12-tyre truck loaded with electrical appliances lost control along the ELWA-RIA High way thus resulting into the deaths of at least seven persons.
Information had it that, key among those individuals was an officer of the Liberia National Police (LNP) identified as Emmanuel Boyah, and a promising young student of the African Dream Academy School, Lucky Smart.
The African Dream Academy School situated along the ELWA-Rehab Highway, which is currently under construction, is owned by the Montserrado County District 6 Representative, Rev. Samuel Enders.
According to our reporter, others who met their untimely demise include Kekeh riders, motorists, Pettit traders, taxi drivers, and pedestrians who were also seen plying along the ELWA-RIA Road.
Our reporter, who also visited the scene minutes after the incident, was told by people who witnessed the accident that the truck was en route from Margibi and lost control, thereby uncontrollably running into other vehicles and burst into flames; something which led to the killing of at least seven or more people.
A resident attributed the tragic incident to the slow pace of the road construction leading to the Robert’s International Airport, stressing that the current condition of the road coupled with defective cars is a complete death trap.
Emmanuel Dahn, in tears lamented that there is an urgent need for the Liberian government to fast-track the construction work for safe and free movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
“The driver was trying to get on the path, but lost control and could not use other parts of the road due to several alleys and detours along the road, so when he found himself in such precarious situation had to just crash into kekehs, cars, and school children,” Dahn noted.
He added, “This road is a complete death trap and the President needs to do something about it; the work on this road has stayed too long.”
Meanwhile, the District 6 Representative in his Facebook posted minutes after the incident expressed sadness over the situation that resulted to the death of one of his students, and at the same time stressed the need for the construction company to fast-track the road construction process.
He said, “Lucky Smart, where are you? We are broken; 12 years ago, you just left us. My stomach as I listen to people talks about you screaming under the truck. My heart hurts.”
Rep. Enders added, “I met you over 7 years and got to appreciate your daily service to your country at Rehab Junction. Sadly, you died today serving us; I salute you, and I respect you and thank you. You are my hero. May your soul and the souls of those who died today rest in peace and the entire District 6 and the country wishes you a gentle rest in the Lord’s arm.”
