At least one person was killed as a trailer transporting several cars rolled into a ditch at the Mai Mahiu escarpment on Friday.
According to police, the incident happened when the vehicle was navigating a curved section of the road near Mai Mahiu.
Police say, the transit vehicle, which was travelling in the general direction of Mai Mahiu, lost control while negotiating a C-shaped corner.
Witnesses reported that the
driver appeared to struggle with steering before the vehicle overturned.
After losing control, the transit
vehicle plummeted approximately 60 meters down an escarpment, police said.
Emergency responders and police
officers arrived at the scene shortly after the accident was reported.
According to police, the scene
drew the attention of residents and passersby, many of whom rushed to
offer assistance.
Tragically, one individual is dead as a result of the
accident, police said.
The identity of the individual
has not yet been confirmed, and police are working to notify the next of kin.
Emergency services began to
conduct a search and rescue operation immediately, focusing on the area where
the vehicle landed, police said
Rescue teams faced challenges due
to the difficult terrain, which complicated efforts to reach the overturned
vehicle and assist any survivors, police said.
Police officers at the scene
initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Preliminary assessments by police
officers to determine whether factors such as driver error, vehicle condition,
or environmental conditions contributed to the loss of control.
Eyewitness accounts will be
crucial in piecing together the sequence of events leading up to the crash, police said
Authorities have indicated that a
follow-up report will be released as more information becomes available.
Police officers will gather data
from the transit vehicle’s onboard systems, if accessible, and any potential
traffic camera footage from the area to aid in their inquiries.
“Further updates will be provided
as the situation develops and more details emerge,” police said.