Barakau, Central Province | Saturday, July 12, 2025
A police vehicle belonging to the Central Highway Patrol unit was severely damaged on Saturday afternoon following a head-on collision with a speeding construction company truck along the Magi Highway near Barakau in Central Province.
According to a statement from the police command, the truck driver was reportedly travelling at high speed from Gaire village toward Port Moresby when the accident occurred. While attempting to overtake another vehicle around a corner, the truck swerved into the opposite lane, colliding directly with the oncoming police vehicle that was on routine patrol.
Police said that all five officers on board the patrol vehicle were injured and have since been transported to the hospital for medical treatment.
“It was a sad day for the command as we lost another vehicle to the hands of a careless construction company truck driver,” a police spokesperson said.
Eyewitnesses from Gaire village confirmed that the truck had been travelling at excessive speed through the village moments before the crash.
The NCD/Central Police Traffic Unit has launched a formal investigation into the incident. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the truck driver or the company involved.
Despite the severity of the accident, police have expressed relief that no lives were lost.
“We thank God that no one died,” the police spokesperson added.
The incident has raised renewed concerns over reckless driving and lack of discipline among commercial vehicle operators, particularly those employed in the construction sector.
