By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara

A tragic road accident in Freetown’s busy Eastern Police business district has once again drawn attention to the dangerous practices that continue to plague Sierra Leone’s public transport sector, following the death of a commercial vehicle apprentice who was fatally run over while attempting to board a moving vehicle.

According to Road Safety Officer Abu Bakarr Sannoh, who witnessed the accident, the young man caught up with the vehicle and attempted to climb aboard while it was in motion. He slipped, fell beneath the vehicle, and was instantly crushed by its wheels.

The incident has sparked renewed concerns among road safety authorities, who say such accidents are preventable and are often caused by risky behaviours that have become commonplace within the transport industry

Speaking on the matter, Dauda Alimamy Kargbo, Supervisor at the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), noted that the tragedy bears a striking resemblance to another fatal accident that occurred in 2023 at Mile 38.

In that case, a driver’s mate wearing foam slippers attempted to jump onto a moving bus as it departed a checkpoint. He slipped, sustained severe head injuries, and later died from the impact.

Kargbo stressed that these recurring incidents highlight the urgent need for behavioural change among drivers, apprentices, and transport operators.

“These accidents are not isolated events. They are the result of unsafe practices that have become normalised in our public transport system,” he said.

According to the SLRSA supervisor, one of the most dangerous habits involves apprentices loading passengers and signalling drivers to move off before they themselves have boarded the vehicle. The apprentices then run after the moving vehicle and attempt to jump aboard, exposing themselves to serious injury or death.

He further pointed out that many apprentices frequently surrender their seats to paying passengers and choose to stand, hang from vehicle doors, or perch in unsafe positions throughout the journey, significantly increasing their vulnerability in the event of sudden stops or accident

The issue of improper footwear was also highlighted as a contributing factor. Kargbo warned that loose foam slippers commonly worn by apprentices provide little grip and can easily cause slips when boarding or alighting from vehicles.

To address the growing concern, the SLRSA is calling for stricter adherence to safety measures within the transport sector.

“Drivers should always ensure that their apprentices are provided with a seat and are safely seated before moving the vehicle,” Kargbo emphasized.

“Apprentices must also wear proper footwear such as sneakers or safety boots to reduce the risk of slipping.”

Road safety advocates argue that beyond enforcement, there is a need for continuous public education and training for commercial transport operators to install a stronger culture of safety on Sierra Leone’s roads.

As families mourn yet another preventable loss of life, authorities are urging all stakeholders in the transport sector to prioritize safety over convenience and profit, warning that unless dangerous practices are abandoned, similar tragedies will continue to occur.

The latest fatality serves as a painful reminder that even routine actions, when carried out recklessly, can have devastating consequences.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 15th June 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)