PNG CRASH INVESTIGATION - SAM BASIL

 

POLICE COMPLETE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

The site of the fatal accident on May 11, 2022 that resulted in the death of popular deputy Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sam Basil. 

PAPUA New Guinea police have completed their traffic accident investigation into the May 11 car crash on the Bulolo Highway that resulted in the death of Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil and his bodyguard Neil Maino.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crimes) Hodges Ette confirmed that forensic police investigators had completed an exhaustive 27 days field investigation in Bulolo district of Morobe.

Mr Basil and Mr Maino perished in the accident on a hillside bend known as the Samsam Corner on the Bulolo Highway.

Two other police officers and a civilian travelling with Mr Basil survived and were treated for injuries.

The driver of the other vehicle and his passengers all survived.

The driver Mathew Barnabas from Simbai area of Madang province is in police custody.

ACP Ette said Barnabas is facing two charges of dangerous driving causing death.

The investigators questioned 22 witnesses and visited the accident site.

The accident shocked the nation and overwhelmed its people with grief on the eve of nominations of candidature for the PNG National Elections 2022.

A police office stands guard at the accident scene.

Sam Basil, a anti-corruption advocate and crime fighter, was a very popular figure among the rural masses.

He was well liked, respected and had a huge following in the country because of his humble nature and simplicity.

He won the Bulolo seat three consecutive times and was attempting a fourth term when he met his unfortunate fate.

His son Sam Basil Jnr has since stepped up to attempt to win the Bulolo seat and carry on his father's legacy.

The Sam Basil family had also requested for a speedy investigation into the crash that killed their family patriarch so they can put the matter to rest and rebuild their lives.

ACP Ette said he has asked for the investigation file to study and would consider further charges if the evidence warrants.

Police investigators determined that the impact was with such force that the driver’s door and the back right cabin door were completely squashed and indented leaving the remains of the body fenders sticking out.

The vehicle driven by Barnabas was descending from a hilly section heading towards Bulolo town while late Basil was heading back to Zenag following an engagement in Watut.

Eyewitnesses stated that Barnabas's open back land cruiser rammed into Basil's 4-door land cruiser vehicle.

The investigation established that Mr Basil was driving his 4 door landcruiser at the time of the accident.

ACP Ette said the investigation reported that the accident was a heavy collision of force as evidenced by the damages sustained by Mr Basil's vehicle.

The investigation concluded that Mr Basil's vehicle was rammed from the driver's front side by the other vehicle at high speed.

The crumpled remains of late Sam Basil's vehicle.

As a result of the force, the other vehicle allegedly spun clockwise and rammed back again into the body of Mr Basil's vehicle.

The investigators noted that the impact was such that the Mr Basil's door and his rear passenger and body guard Neil Maino's door were crumpled.

The body of the car on the right side suffered extensive damage. The magnitude of force experienced left little margin for survivability.

While the completion of the investigation might bring some relief for the family, some doubts also linger in their quest for answers.

Some of this questions are administrative issues that need to be ironed out with relevant authorities.

Questions such as 'why was there no escort car for the deputy PM? And why wasn't one of his body guards driving him on all occasions? Or was the driver of the other vehicle incapacitated in any way by alcohol at the time of the accident?'

The issue of late Sam Basil's vehicle being just 2 weeks old also raises the question of whether his vehicle had safety features including crash safety airbags that would have inflated and protected him on impact? And whether he and his passengers were all wearing safety harnesses or seat belts?

ACP Ette said: “The forensic team that went across to Bulolo in the last 27 days have completed what we have identified as necessary witnesses interviewed, all statements have been obtained and documentation done and the files is completed and delivered to PPC Morobe.”

“The arresting officer from Traffic will put the file together as hand up brief for the court in the next two months and serve it on the court,” he added.

“The current charge prepared against the suspect is dangerous driving causing death,” ACP Ette said.

“I have requested the copy of the file and make an assessment and look at the possibility where if evidence provides otherwise we can look at preparing further charges where necessary and if not then the charges prepared against the suspect is sufficient to have him appear before the court.”

In his statement ACP Hodges did not allude to any other aspect of the accident including post-morterm reports, and the issue of the safety features of late Mr Basil's new land cruiser, and the protocols which were disregarded.