Authorities in Lakes State have confirmed that musician Matoch Akuc, popularly known by his stage name ‘Papa’, died when a vehicle he was traveling in overturned on Monday morning near Payii Bridge in Yirol West County.
The deceased artiste was traveling to perform at the swearing-in ceremony of the new Lakes State cabinet which is slated for later this week in Rumbek town.
Speaking to Radio Tamzuj, the Mayor of Yirol West County, Balang Arok Dakbai said the vehicle was traveling from Juba to Rumbek and was carrying several passengers including an artiste.
He added that the artiste died and three other passengers sustained injuries in the accident. The injured are receiving treatment at Yirol Hospital, he added.
The police officer in charge of Yirol West County, Brigadier General, Taban Aweil, said that the vehicle which overturned and its driver is now in police custody.
“When the vehicle overturned, it killed the artiste and injured three passengers. The driver came to our police station running when I was in the office and immediately entered the police and reported himself. Now we are making investigations and his vehicle is here detained at the police,” Brig. Aweil said.
A relative of the deceased. Dr. Marial Chewir Koch, said, “I just heard yesterday that a vehicle had overturned killing one of my relatives and injured three people in Yirol West County after the Payii bridge."
Dr. Marial said the late had been a driver by profession before embracing music as a career.