Police Commissioner David Manning today sent his condolences to the families of Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil and his Close Protection Office, First Constable Neil Maino, who died in the car accident early last night.
First Constable Maino was the Close Protection Officer to the late Deputy Prime Minister. Both died in the same car accident last night.
“This was a tragic road accident. Police investigations are now underway to establish what happened. The country will be informed of the outcome of the investigations. Until then I want to call upon people to be responsible and not speculate as to what had happened,” Mr Manning said.
Director Special Services Division (SSD) Chief Superintendent Julius Tasion confirmed that the late First Constable Neil Maino was on official duty with the Deputy Prime Minister to his electorate in Bulolo when the accident happened.
Mr Tasion said the officer died last night from injuries he sustained in the vehicle collision along the Bulolo-Lae road. He said the late member was sitting behind the leader whilst another Close Protection Officer (CPO) Sergeant Fredy Setu was sitting in the front offside of the vehicle.
Mr Tasion said Sgt Setu only sustained minor injuries. He was then taken to the Angau General Hospital in Lae where he was discharged this afternoon.
Mr Tasion said Mr Basil passed on first and the late F/Const Maino died about 30 minutes later. He said bodies are now in the Angau Hospital.
The late F/Const Maino is from Popondetta mixed Mekeo in the Kairiku-Hiri district of the Central Province. The late member joined the Constabulary in 2009 and was attached with the National Security Unit (NSU) of the Special Services Division until his death.