By: Fatmata Grace Okekearu, Bo City
A tragic road accident along the Bo-Kenema Highway has claimed the lives of five people, including three adult women, a child, and the driver of a private vehicle, in what authorities have described as a devastating crash near the Bandajuma community in Bo District.
The fatal incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, 2 June 2026, shortly after Bandajuma along the busy highway. Several other passengers sustained injuries, raising renewed concerns about road safety across the country.
According to the District Traffic Officer (DTO) for the Bo-East Division, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mohamed Kabba Conteh, police responded swiftly after receiving information about the accident at approximately 9:30 a.m.
Speaking to journalists, ASP Conteh disclosed that upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered a severely damaged private vehicle bearing registration number ARO 972 positioned in the middle of the highway.
“Police found two lifeless bodies at the scene, while three other victims were trapped inside the vehicle,” ASP Conteh stated.
He explained that with the assistance of residents of the Bandajuma community, particularly local youths and members of the Drivers’ Union, police were able to retrieve the trapped victims from the wreckage.
ASP Conteh further noted that emergency response measures were immediately activated. An ambulance from the District Health Management Team (DHMT) transported the injured victims to the Outpatient Department of Bo Government Hospital after they had received first aid treatment at the Bandajuma Community Health Centre.
The bodies of the deceased were later conveyed to the mortuary at Bo Government Hospital for identification and post-mortem examination.
Preliminary reports indicate that the accident involved a tanker belonging to Zara Company, bearing registration number AZN 324, which was being driven by Vandy Alieu. The driver is currently assisting police with ongoing investigations.
ASP Conteh confirmed that investigators have commenced inquiries to determine the exact cause of the crash. He also appealed to motorists to exercise caution, observe speed limits, and comply with traffic regulations to help prevent similar tragedies.
As investigations continue, grief has engulfed the affected families and residents of the area following the loss of lives in yet another deadly highway accident in the region.
The incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for stricter road safety measures and increased public awareness to reduce the growing number of fatal accidents on Sierra Leone’s highways.