On Monday evening, October 21, 2024, a devastating accident occurred on the main Freetown Highway at Maseiri, Koya Chiefdom, Port Loko District, resulting in multiple fatalities. The collision between two vehicles, a car with registration AND 192 and a jeep, left the community in shock and grief.
The accident happened around ten miles from Masiaka, with the jeep heading to Bo City and the car heading to Freetown. The impact was severe, with vehicle parts scattered across the highway. Witnesses, including Mohamed Kanu, were met with a harrowing scene of twisted metal and shattered glass. Among the victims was Jalloh, the driver of the car, whose body was found crushed and covered in a wrapper.
Police officers, including Sergeant Hassan Turay, were called to the scene by local community youths. Turay took the difficult task of identifying the victims and delivering heartbreaking news to the callers, informing them that the phone owner had died in the crash.
Witnesses believe that at least five people lost their lives in the accident, though this figure remains unconfirmed. Survivors were rushed to nearby hospitals in Masiaka, and their condition remains unclear.
Chief Santigie Sesay of Maseiri village pointed to an unnoticed curve and reckless driving as potential causes of the accident, noting that the road is prone to accidents. He recalled a similar, though less fatal, accident occurring in the same area just two weeks prior.
While the exact cause of the collision is yet to be determined, speeding is suspected to have played a role. Police and road safety authorities responded swiftly to the scene, working to maintain order and trace the families of those involved. Victims’ belongings were gathered by the police, and efforts to identify the deceased and injured are ongoing. The collision is a grim reminder of the dangers posed by reckless driving and treacherous roads. As authorities continue their investigation, the people of Koya Chiefdom are left to mourn the loss of life and hope for a swift recovery for the survivors.
