By Vicky Baunke in Goroka EHP
Tragedy struck yesterday afternoon along the Highlands Highway in a horrific motor vehicle accident that claimed the lives of eight people, including a baby.
The PMV bus, which was traveling from Lae to Mt. Hagen, was about 15 minutes away from Goroka town, near the plains of Korefegu, when the incident occurred.
According to the Police Highway Patrol Unit, who were present at the scene, the PMV bus was speeding alongside another PMV bus before swerving off the road into a nearby drain.
The vehicle then overturned upon impact, landing on its side and throwing passengers off the bus.
A total of eight people were confirmed dead and were later transported by ambulance to Goroka Hospital. The Fire Brigade also arrived at the scene to assist in removing passengers trapped inside the wreckage.
Photos of the tragic accident have since circulated on Facebook as family members attempt to identify their loved ones.
It is also believed that among the passengers was a group traveling to a church gathering in Mendi.
