Augustine Wampe

The deceased were four passengers on the 15-seater PMV bus and three from the five door LandCruiser, including an infant.

Graphic pictures of this fatal accident on Saturday morning were taken by onlookers and posted online, showing many injured persons and other passengers trapped in the vehicles.

Morobe PPC Augustine Wampe said the reports of the total number of injured and people involved in this accident in the early hours of January 13 are yet to be confirmed.

Morobe Provincial Police Commander, Augustine Wampe confirmed the accident happened this morning.

Around 7 people have reportedly died after a 15-seater PMV bus collided with a five door vehicle travelling up to Nadzab.

PPC Wampe says details of the accident are sketchy at the moment but he will reveal specifics later on in the day.  

He says he is still waiting for the full report from the Highway Patrol unit that responded to the accident.  

(A picture from witnesses showing the crumpled up 15-seater bus with a few victims still inside)

In a low key ceremony at Mumeng government station yesterday (April 15), the vehicles and the houses were given to the police by the local MP and Deputy Opposition Leader, Sam Basil.

The Toyota Land Cruiser utes were for Bulolo, Wau and Mumeng.

When handing over the vehicles, Basil said presentation had been delayed as there weren’t enough funds to purchase them.