Container truck kills many

Terror struck the densely populated slum Community of Sonniwein down Johnson Street in Monrovia when a 40-feet container truck plying license plate TB-0511 reportedly conveying alcoholic beverages from a local company NICOM smashed two persons to death instantly and wounded several others on Saturday, 8 April.

Two of those injured in the incident reportedly died at the state -run John F. Kennedy Medical Center or JFKMC in Sinkor where they were taken for medical attention, increasing the number of deaths tofour.

Excluding the four deaths, about five other victims are in criticalcondition. At least two victims died instantly when the truck lost control and fell in the congested market area in the community.

Bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the mortuary inside the government hospital JFK, awaiting police investigation surrounding cause of the accident. The deceased include a middle-age woman, two children and a male water supplier.

Those in critical conditions are being attended to at the JFKMC, while another victim was admitted at the Marwa Clinic in Vai Town on Bushrod Island for medical attention.

Those under critical condition include Franklin Mayatee, Emmanuel Jimmy, Lassanah Azzan, Meshell Williams and David. A male victim killed in the accident was supplying mineral water to some customers in the Sonniwein Community when the truck smashed him and a girl to death on the spot.

A forklift was later ordered to the scene which removed thefallen container from over the two dead bodies. The driver of thecontainer truck, 38-year-old Mahammed Kamara, immediately fled the sceneand sought refuge at the Center Street Police Depot for fear of being attack by angry mob.

The container, according to eyewitnesses, lost control due to alleged break failure, while coming down the Johnson Street hill that leads to Rally Time General Market at about 5:30pm.

It smashed a yellow commercial tricycle, locally called ‘kehkeh’ beyond repair and also damaged parts of several homes constructed along the road in the congested community.

The head of the truck disconnected from the main body after it fell. Eyewitnesses say most of the victims were residing in the Sonniwe in Community in Montserrado County Electoral District #8.

Following the incident, Police authorities in Monrovia issued astatement saying, they are investigating the cause of the accident that resulted to the death of three persons.

The police say 11 persons sustained wounds of different degrees andare undergoing medical treatment at the JFKMC in Sinkor. PoliceSpokesman Sam Collins says a female Liberian journalist, who works withSuper FM Radio Station Rose Zazay, sustained wounds on her both legs.

Police assured the public that they have initiated aninvestigation into the incident and called on the public toremain calm in the wake of the ongoing probe.

The police also say they have in their custody the truck operator 38 -year old Mahammed Kamara to assist in the investigation. They arelaiming that efforts to establish contact with the owner of the truckhas not materialized. The Liberia National Police has requestedthe input of eyewitnesses to assist the investigation.
By Emmanuel Mondaye-Editing by Winston W. Parley