By Sulaiman Mansaray

A fatal accident occurred at the seaside sand mining area along Pamaronkoh Wharf, Fainkry Street, Calaba Town, Freetown. The incident took place on Friday, August 30, at around 4:00 p.m., involving a ten-wheeler truck loaded with sand. According to eyewitness reports, the accident was caused by the poor condition of the road, which has been further damaged by frequent use by heavy-duty vehicles.

Morlai Mansaray, a sand trader at the scene, stated that although there were no casualties or injuries, the poor state of the road played a significant role in the accident. He explained that the road’s condition has worsened due to the continuous passage of heavy-duty trucks used to dump dirt, making it dangerous for vehicles. “The road was bad, but it has deteriorated further because of these trucks. The frequent coming of these heavy-duty vehicles has led to severe damage to the road, causing accidents like this,” Mansaray added.

Pa Mohamed Kargbo, a community stakeholder, expressed concern over the random influx of heavy-weight vehicles in the area. “The rapid and unregulated movement of these trucks, especially those coming to dump dirt, has become alarming,” Kargbo noted. Residents and traders are worried about the increasing traffic of heavy vehicles, which is believed to be related to an ongoing construction project for a new factory on the opposite street.

The community is urging authorities to address the road’s deteriorating condition and regulate the movement of heavy-duty vehicles to prevent further accidents. The youth are pleading for help so that it will help minimize risk of further accident to occur.