A truck carrying passengers crashed into the bush along the Madang-Ramu National Highway at Ono village in Madang province, killing seven people and seriously injuring 17 others.

The crash happened at about 7:00 PM on Sunday as the Isuzu truck, registration MAJ:316, was travelling from Bogia to Mutzing in Markham following a church service.

Madang Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Robert Baim confirmed the crash and stated that the exact number of passengers travelling in the truck was unknown.

PPC Baim said 17 injured passengers were admitted to the hospital and seven people died, bringing the total known number of people involved to 24.

Other injured passengers who were not hospitalized continued their journey to Mutzing.

Police reported that the truck was travelling downhill and negotiating a curve when it ran off the road, knocked down roadside barriers, and travelled approximately 150 metres into the bush before landing head-on.

Six people died at the scene, while another died later in the hospital. Baim stated that the truck was registered and had been in good condition.

He noted that police would investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, including whether the overload of passengers contributed to the incident and whether the driver had undergone the required testing prior to receiving a license.

The driver was also injured and admitted to the hospital. PPC Baim explained that police would interview the driver once he was well enough to speak, which was expected to be within two to three days.

Furthermore, he called on new drivers to undergo proper testing through traffic officers before obtaining driver's licenses.

“There are no shortcuts,” PPC Baim stated.