Crash kills two

Survey shows alcohol is main killer

 

By ANGELINE KARIUS

 

TWO people are dead and seven others are nursing injuries at the Port Moresby General Hospital when their vehicle overturned along the Sogeri road on Saturday, The National reports.

The two killed were believed to be from Enga, one of them a final-year medical student at the University of PNG.

PMGH accidents and emergency coordinator Dr Sam Yockopua said two of those injured were women.

He said four other males were still at the emergency ward with injuries and receiving treatment. They were expected to be discharged today.

Yockopua said the driver was also believed to be injured but did not turn up at the hospital for treatment.

He said five males and four females were continuing their drinking spree when the accident happened.

They were reported to be returning to the city from Sogeri in a white Toyota Fifth Element when the accident happened.

Police could not be reached for comments on the accident, but eyewitnesses said the driver lost control as the vehicle was approaching a bend at speed, and the car ran off the road.

Yockopua said that there should be zero tolerance on drink-driving and tougher penalties imposed on those who were caught.

He said a report would soon be released showing a high rate of alcohol-related casualties.

He said the report showed that between 50% and 70% of 550 casualties were related to road traffic accidents (RTA) and 100% of the accidents along the Hiritano and Magi highways were alcohol-related.

The survey was conducted between January and June last year. 

Yockopua said this was proof that alcohol was a road killer, and appealed to the authorities to act now.

“Drunken motorists are causing unnecessary accidents, taking away lives and harming others.

“There are very careless people who should not be allowed to drive around, and authorities should do something about this,” he added.