A man is dead and two in critical conditions after their truck plunged into the Pinei River at Pakia, Panguna district of Central Bougainville.
The incident happened on Thursday morning where passengers from Torokina in South Bougainville, who were travelling to Arawa Town, were involved in yet another nasty accident while travelling through the section of the Panguna to Arawa main highway.
Eleven male, two females and two children, were rushed to the Arawa Health Centre where one died and two were gravely injured with fractured skulls.
The five critically injured victims were referred to the Buka General Hospital for further examinations and treatment. The patients have no immediate family members in Arawa and asked the public to assist them in this time of need.
Owner of the Rising Sun Lodge in Arawa, Bertha Lorenz was the first to come along with some assistance and urged other business houses to do the same.
Police are yet to establish the cause of the accident; however, witnesses said the brake and gear failed when the vehicle was coming down the steep Pakia Gap section of the rugged Panguna mountain range, resulting in the accident.