291211Strong currents pull PMV

By New Dawn Media

A public motor vehicle was dragged down the Iurun river at Tinputz district in North Bougainville after the vehicle with 13 people on board attempted to cross the river yesterday afternoon.

Reports from eyewitnesses said the Arawa based East Coast Express land cruiser was crossing the river when strong river current carried the vehicle with the passengers on board several meters downstream.

According to information received, all of the passengers managed to escape out the vehicle windows except for two infants on board, who were rescued by bystanders at the accident scene.

The eyewitnesses said the rescuers reprimanded the driver for ignoring telltale signs of strong current which is usual for the Iurun river after a night of heavy rain.

The driver is a veteran of the Arawa to Kokopau highway.

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