By Eric Haurupma – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Evadahana Primary School, at 9 Mile outside of Port Moresby, today remembered a Grade Eight graduating student who passed away just a month before he was set to graduate.
Eyewitnesses from Laloki said the student was fleeing police, when he jumped into the Laloki River and drowned.
Those who attended the schools 18th graduation ceremony today observed a minutes silence in tribute to Aze John, who died last month.
John, aged 14 from Kopiago in the Southern Highlands Province, was one of the 209 Grade Eight graduates who should have graduated today.
Evadahana Primary School Head Teacher, Samuel Wala, while expressing condolences to the family of the late student said it was sad to have lost a student at this time of the school year.
Residents of Kinakon, 14 Mile farm, said that the deceased drowned himself in the Laloki River while fleeing from the police.
They said policemen were chasing gamblers of Kinakon residents at the back of the 14 Mile farm towards the Laloki River where Aze was washing his clothes.
Sharon Tunduta, a Kinakon resident, said when Aze saw them he jumped into the Laloki River.
An alarm was raised about the boy’s disappearance and a search was conducted until 6pm.
His body was found drowned in the Laloki River about 15 metres away from the residential hub.
Aze lived a tough life in Port Moresby, with no family. He worked as a security officer with Guard Dog security at night, and attended school during the day.
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