Five killed in horror crash near Kokopo

Five people have been confirmed dead following a tragic collision involving two vehicles at around 5pm this afternoon at Bitavavar on the outskirts of Kokopo.

The accident involved a loaded oil palm truck, known as “Las Ples”, and a PMV truck, “Mori”, from the Riet area in Warangoi.

Eyewitnesses reported that the oil palm truck was attempting to overtake another vehicle along a curve when it collided head-on with the oncoming PMV truck.

Police have confirmed that the driver of the oil palm truck was intoxicated.

NBC arrived at the scene shortly after the accident and confirmed the five fatalities from the PMV. All were male, including the driver, the crew member seated in front, and three passengers who were travelling at the back of the vehicle.

While members of the oil palm truck crew fled the scene, the driver was apprehended and taken into police custody.

The bodies of the deceased are now at the Nonga provincial hospital morgue.