Freeway claims life of politician's son

HOUSING Minister Andrew Kumbakor has described the Poporena Freeway as a “death trap” that needs to be redesigned before more lives are lost, The National reports.

Kumbakor is mourning the loss of his young son Malakai, 13, who was killed in an accident along the highway on Saturday evening.

Malakai was in a sedan with four others, heading back from town after a basketball training session.

The driver, believed to be his elder brother, lost control and shot off the highway at Hohola.

Malakai was thrown out of the car. He suffered injuries to his head and other parts of his body, and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Pacific International Hospital.

Police are investigating the accident.

“There have been a lot of deaths on the Poreporena Freeway over the years.

“Most of these deaths are preventable if safety was considered during its construction. For example, there is no way of controlling speed on this highway,” the minister said.

The lack of speedometer, or any gadget to control speed, meant motorists were travelling at high speed on the highway.

“There is no speedometer, or speed humps. There are so many vehicles on the road today.

“The lack of policing is such that people with dangerous habits are allowed to drive on the road,” he said.

“Our roads and their use are so unregulated here,” Kumbakor said.

Malakai was a Grade 6 student at the Kopkop College in Gerehu. He is survived by six brothers and four sisters.

Also over the weekend, a pioneer SDA pastor in Enga was killed in Boroko when he was hit by a vehicle.

He was identified as Pr Paul Piari. Details of his death were not released, but police are also investigating.

Last year, two brothers were killed at Konedobu, along the freeway, when a vehicle which had spun out of control slammed into them.

The two were sons of government lawyer David Lambu.