On Tuesday, February 6th, at around 3:30 pm the Saint John Ambulance (SJA) Centre received a distress call regarding a motor vehicle collision incident at ATS, National Capital District.
Eight ambulances with a mass casualty transport bus rushed to the scene to aid the injured.
Upon arrival, emergency units discovered a Public Transport Motor vehicle (PMV) had collided with a light pole.
This resulted in moderate deformity to the vehicle and exposing the electrical wires.
A total of 16 individuals were attended to by SJA, 14 patients were brought to Port Moresby General Hospital to seek further aid.
Most of the casualty were children under 13 years old.
Five children were found with suspected limb fractures, while at least three young children sustained head injuries.
Also, amongst the injured was a young baby being nursed by the mother.
However, of grave concern was the critical condition of the PMV driver, who was reported to be viciously attacked by bystanders, causing him to be unconscious.
St John Ambulance official Spokesperson, Supt. Lulu Mark, condemned the act, emphasizing the importance of refraining from such actions in such situations.
Supt. Mark further repeated essential safety guidelines for the public during emergencies.
She emphasized the need to maintain a safe distance from incident scenes, avoid approaching injured individuals, and steer clear of fallen electrical wires, which pose a significant danger.
The St John Ambulance extends its gratitude to the public and, Police and Fire Service for their cooperation and assistance during the response to the incident.
Supt. Mark again emphasized the importance of community cooperation in ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals involved in such emergencies.