At least one person has died after a trailer transporting several cars veered off the road and plunged into a ditch at the Mai Mahiu escarpment on Friday, police confirmed.
According to officers, the accident occurred as the trailer was navigating a curved section of the road near Mai Mahiu. “The transit vehicle, which was heading in the direction of Mai Mahiu, lost control while negotiating a C-shaped corner,” police said.
Witnesses reported that the driver appeared to be struggling with the steering before the vehicle overturned. After losing control, the trailer fell approximately 60 meters down the escarpment, police added.
Emergency responders and police arrived on the scene shortly after the accident was reported, drawing a crowd of residents and passersby who rushed to assist. Sadly, police confirmed that one individual lost their life in the crash. The person’s identity has yet to be confirmed, and authorities are in the process of notifying the next of kin.
A search and rescue operation was initiated immediately, with efforts concentrated on the area where the vehicle came to rest. “Rescue teams encountered significant challenges due to the difficult terrain, complicating access to the overturned vehicle and any potential survivors,” police said.
An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the accident. “We are assessing whether factors such as driver error, vehicle condition, or environmental conditions contributed to the loss of control,” officers at the scene stated.
Eyewitness accounts will play a key role in reconstructing the events that led to the crash, and further updates will be provided as more details become available. “We will also examine data from the vehicle’s onboard systems, if accessible, and review any traffic camera footage from the area,” police said.
