Grand Kru Citizens Call for Action Against Canoe Capsize

Citizens of Grand Kru County are calling on Superintendent Elizabeth Dempster to come up with safety measures during this rainy season to avoid massive loss of lives of citizens using canoes to commute from one place to another.

The citizens’ call followed the death of three persons, who recently drowned in the Gehn River in Wedabo District, Grand Kru County. The incident brought to six, the number of persons reportedly drowned in Grandcess last month.

Speaking to the Liberia News Agency in Barclayville, a cross section of citizens who converged in the city from across the Gehn River to receive their May salary checks, said the constant capsizing of canoes in the area has claimed their attention.

They noted that most of the canoes are small and unsafe for crossing over a big river like the Gehn River; therefore, the county’s authorities should intervene to save innocent lives.

They warned that if nothing were done to address the situation, many more fatalities could occur in the county, particularly during this rainy season. The citizens cited the recent death of two sisters and an eight- month-old baby, drowned on May 7, 2012 in Grandcess as a result of canoe capsize.

Motorcycle Accidents on the Rise

Reports from Grand Kru County, southeast Liberia speak of increased road traffic accidents, involving commercial motorcyclists. The accidents are said to be prevalent along the Barclayville-Kanweaken highway with daily casualties. The highway, which is about 140 miles drive, links Grand Kru to River Gee County through Sasstown, Buah and Forpoh districts, respectively.

The Administrator of the Barclayville Health Center J. Milton   Kaydor told the Liberia News Agency that the hospital receives over two accident cases daily, involving commercial bike riders. He said critical cases of motorcycle accidents in the county are usually transferred to the Rally Time Hospital in Grand Cess for proper medical attention.

Mr. Kaydor noted that some of the accident victims are elderly people, who regularly travel to Barclayville for business transaction or to receive their monthly salaries.