On Gbarnga H/way: Tragic Accident Kills 6

At least six people have died instantly and several others wounded in a tragic motor accident in Zeansu, Bong County in Central Liberia.

Eyewitnesses told our correspondent upon arrival at the accident scene that the National Transit Authority or NTA bus, with plate number 5138, lost control at an excessive speed, escaping the main road and somersaulting into a dish at about 12 noon on Wednesday.

The vehicle reportedly somersaulted several feet away from the main road before landing into the dish, with the tires shown to the sky. The driver (name not disclosed) of the bus, which left Monrovia Wednesday morning in route to Ganta, Nimba County was said to be under the influence of alcohol, as some survivors who spoke to this paper, accused her of speeding excessively and taking in alcoholic beverage against continuous advice to stop.

The driver of the NTA bus, who is said to have survived the tragic accident, has not been seen and is believed to be on the run. The bus was conveying over one hundred one hundred and fifty passengers to various destinations in rural Liberia.

Among the main victims were women and children. Hundreds of passers-by yesterday stormed the scene, sharing tears over the dead. Ambulances of the Phebe Hospital were seen taking victims from the accident scene to the hospital’s emergency session, which got overcrowded with victims as doctors and nurses accelerated services to administer treatments and save lives.

Among the victims, is a popular Liberian Musician Leevah Zenawi who told our correspondent from his Phebe Hospital bed that he was experiencing severe stomach pain. Musician Leevah Zennawi was in route to Ganta City, Nimba County – his native Land.

Bong County Assistant Superintendent for Development Anthony Boikai Sheriff and County Inspector William Kollie, who visited the scene of the accident and Phebe Hospital, described the accident as sad. There are calls from the public for the Liberia National Police to increase and strengthen its high way patrol to prevent excessive speed on the newly pave highway under-estimated drivers.

Meanwhile, the NTA Management on Wednesday reportedly dispatched a team to the scene of the accident in Zeinsue, Bong County. NTA Public Relations Manager Robert Wilson said the Operation Manager headed the team.

“We are also in contact with the Bong County authorities and Phebe Hospital”, he told a local radio station in Monrovia Wednesday afternoon following the accident. Mr. Wilson, who described the accident as “tragic”, said the National Transit Authority has stern regulatory policy and guidelines, stressing that anyone (employee) violating such would be penalized.