Concerns raised over road

AT least 24 persons have lost their lives in three separate road accidents at the same spot along the Highlands Highway in Chuave, Chimbu, according to locals.
Community spokesperson Mewie Neme said the recent accident that killed six persons including two children was at the same location where two other previous accidents took place.
“There is a steep turn just opposite the Chuave station before reaching the junction where it always poses risk to both passing vehicles and pedestrians over the years,” Neme told The National.
“Six persons were killed during the first accident in 1992 followed by a major one in 2011 where 12 others had lost their lives.”
He said communities around Chuave station were now concerned following Thursday’s incident after a truck loaded with bags of sweet potatoes from Hagen to Lae had experienced a mechanical fault and crashed into a power pole before it turned over.
He said the incident involved a boy and a girl from the same village who were walking home and the four passengers.
The girl was identified as Karol Wesley, 19, in Grade Eight and her neighbour Areson John, 11, who was in Grade Five at Bowie Primary School.
“We urge the Chimbu government, provincial works and the Department of Works and Highways to put up a sign board on the roadside to indicate that there is a sharp bend ahead for drivers to take precautions,” he said.
“The Government must do something on this specific site of the road because there were three fatal road accidents
already that happened on this same spot.
“This part of the road should be extended to give enough space to avoid possible accidents in future.”
Meanwhile, the grieving families said they understood that it was an accident.
However, they wanted the owner of the truck to work with them to ensure both deceased were given proper burial.