Four people have died, and more than 18 others were injured in a fatal road accident along the Sir Bruce Jeffcott Highway near Udini, Bahor, in Madang on Monday morning.

Police say the crash happened around 8:30AM when two Isuzu trucks were speeding towards town. One of the trucks, driven by Baigi Kauke and owned by Ben Kaia of Balama Village in Ambenob LLG, hit a pedestrian, 56-year-old Lucy Sed from Bugati, who died instantly after being dragged by the vehicle.

The truck then went off the road and fell off the Calvet Bridge at Drai Diwai Creek, killing three passengers — 25-year-old Doris Akarfi from Warames Village in Bogia, 35-year-old Alvis Yandan from Yawar Village in Bukati, and Kimberly Kivens from Rai Coast.

More than 18 passengers were rushed to Modilon General Hospital with serious injuries.

Madang Provincial Police Commander, Acting Superintendent Robert Baim, condemned the accident, saying drivers continue to ignore road safety messages.

“Our traffic officers are wasting their time doing awareness on road safety, drink driving, overloading, and driving with care and attention,” PPC Baim said. “Drivers and people are so ignorant. Passengers’ lives are in your capable hands — you will still reach your destination, so why speeding?”

He reminded drivers that “there is no first prize for speeding” and urged PMV operators to drive responsibly.

Police are investigating the cause of the crash.