The Papua New Guinea Defence Force confirms that a soldier passed away yesterday in Mt Hagen after a fatal road accident. Late 815200, Private Lembo, Leonard, 27 is from Pausa in Wapenamanda District of Enga Province. The deceased died upon impact following a penetrative chest injury resulting in air leaking and bleeding into the lung cavity. Acting Chief of Defence Force Commodore Philip Polewara conveyed his condolence to the family of the deceased. Three others are in a stable at the Mt Hagen General Hospital. The fourth soldier who was driving was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon. The accident occurred between 16:30 and 17:00 at Keltiga outside of Mt Hagen. The soldiers are from the 1st Battalion Royal Pacific Islands Regiment’s Charlie Company. They were returning to Hela after attending a military court case in Mt Hagen on Saturday. PNGDF Headquarters is working with the Task Force Headquarters in Mt Hagen to establish the cause of the accident.