One dead, others injured as driver loses control of lorry while descending hill

A 26-year-old man is now dead, while two others are nursing serious injuries after the lorry they were travelling in toppled while descending a hill at Yarakaita Access road, North West District, Region One on Sunday.

The dead man was identified as Mark Wells of Kumaka Water Front, Mabaruma.

Those injured were 17-year-old Leroy Chu of Kumaka Junction, Mabaruma, and 35-year-old Edwin King of Kumaka Stretch, Mabaruma.

Police said the lorry #GWW 609, being driven by 27-year-old John Peter of Kumaka Stretch, Mabaruma, was heading west along the Yarakaita Access Road at a fast rate at around 17:50hrs.

The driver reportedly told police that while descending a hill, the truck’s defective steering arm came loose, causing him to lose control.

“The lorry ended up colliding into a mud wall (baranka) on the northern side of the road causing the vehicle to spin around and turn turtle,” Police Headquarters said.

At the time of the crash, there were two other persons in the cab (whose names the driver cannot remember), while Mark Wells, Leroy Chu and Edwin King were in the tray.

As a result of the collision the three occupants in the tray were thrown out of the vehicle.

Police said: “Mark Wells received a laceration to the right ankle, and abrasions to his left shoulder and about his body; Edwin King received abrasions about his body and Leroy Chu received lacerations to his left side head, left ankle and abrasion to the back left side shoulder.”

Wells and King were picked up in an unconscious condition, while Leroy Chu was picked up in a conscious condition and taken to the Mabaruma Regional Hospital where Wells was pronounced dead on arrival at about 20:25hrs.

The body of the deceased is presently lying in the Mabaruma Regional Hospital Mortuary awaiting post mortem examination.

Edwin King and Leroy Chu were seen and examined and admitted patients suffering from fractured right ribs and open fracture to the right ankle. Edwin King is listed as critical, while Leroy Chu listed as stable.

Notice of intended prosecution has been served on the driver, who is in police custody as investigations continue.