A Land Cruiser Toyota pickup carrying 25 security personnel overturned while en route to address inter-sectional clashes between the Monytiak and Bhoor sections in Rumbek Central County.
The vehicle was accompanying Commissioner Dut Manak to the scene when the accident occurred, resulting in the death of one soldier and injuring 19 others.
The traffic accident happened on Tuesday morning after fighting resumed between the two rival sections at the Aluaal-adol cattle camp. The security forces had been sent by state authorities to quell the conflict.
Maj. Elijah Mabor Makuac, police spokesperson for Lakes State, told Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday that 19 soldiers sustained serious injuries and 2 are in critical condition following an accident. The pickup truck, carrying members of the organized forces sent to quell fighting between the Monytiak and Bhoor sections at Aluaal-adol cattle camp, overturned on the way.
He added that the accident occurred yesterday morning while the security advisor and the commissioner of Rumbek Central County were en route to the cattle camp, accompanied by additional security forces.
Dr. Terran Madit Terran, medical director of Rumbek State Hospital, on the morning of June 18 explained what happened: “Among these 19 people, 2 are in critical condition. All the victims were evacuated to Rumbek State Hospital for treatment, and the mission proceeded to the cattle camp.”
“We received casualties, all of whom were soldiers involved in a road traffic accident. They were on a mission when the accident occurred, possibly due to overtaking or another issue,” explained Dr. Terran.
He stated that upon arrival at the hospital, all the injured soldiers were resuscitated by the medical team. “We had three serious cases of gunshot injuries. We immediately attended to them, and one has stabilized, leaving two in critical condition,” Dr. Terran said. “These two were operated on, and this morning they are doing better than yesterday.”
Dr. Terran noted that one patient remains in a serious condition but is not critical. In total, 14 soldiers were injured when the car overturned. “We have only three major injuries, and as of this morning, they are improving,” he said. “The total number of injured from the accident is 14. All were brought to the hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, one soldier died at the scene, and his body was brought in with the others. We provided first aid to the survivors, and they are all doing well now.”