A man identified as Martin Abalu, 75, died and three other passengers sustained injuries when a vehicle they were traveling in overturned along the Magwi-Torit Road in Eastern Equatoria State over the weekend.
Lieutenant Adam Satiro of the state traffic police told Radio Tamazuj Monday that the accident which occurred on Saturday afternoon was caused by speeding. He said the injured are receiving treatment at the Magwi Primary Health Care Center.
“A vehicle was moving from Magwi to Torit on Saturday and picked a Martin Abalu, 75, Regina Ikara, 12, and Rose Ade, 13, from a place called Hunyihunyi,” he explained. “On their way, due to speeding, the vehicle overturned three times at around 3 p.m. and was destroyed. The old man, Abalu, died of injuries the following day in hospital while the two girls and driver sustained injuries and are currently at Magwi Primary Health Care Center.”
Lt. Satiro cautioned drivers who use the Torit-Magwi Road about speeding because he said it has several sudden corners and bends.
Meanwhile, Lawrence Otim, the in-charge at Magwi Primary Health Care Center, confirmed that the three injured accident victims are receiving treatment at the facility. He said the deceased had serious and complicated internal neck and leg fractures.
“The accident survivors are picking up and improving,” he said.
For his part, William Otto, the Secretary General of the Magwi Drivers’ Union, said he was saddened by the continuous accidents on the Torit-Magwi Road because drivers incur a lot of expenses in medication and compensating the dead.
He however said the road network between Magwi, Juba, and Torit is in a sorry state, leading to accidents, and urged the government to prioritize work on roads across the state.
“We have a lot of corners on this road and a new driver can cause an accident. As drivers, we are saddened when an accident happens because we spend a lot of money to take the injured people to the hospital,” he explained. “We have bad roads and develop mechanical problems because of that.
We request the government to maintain the roads.”
“I also advise our members not to drink while working and to drive safely to the station,” Otto added.