Reports indicate that a tragic road accident occurred yesterday at the Mange Burreh Police Checkpoint, resulting in the death of Woman Police Constable (WPC) 21676 Jenneh Mansaray.

The incident, which occurred at approximately 5:30 PM, involved a Mercedes Benz Tipper Truck, registration number ATR 087, driven by Mustapha Jalloh, a resident of Devil Hole Junction in the Western Rural Area.

WPC Mansaray, who was attached to the Operational Support Division (OSD) of the North West Regional Headquarters, was carrying out her routine duties when the accident happened.

According to reports, Mansaray was instructed by her superior to open the checkpoint for the truck after an inspection. As she approached the crash barrier to clear the path, the driver accelerated prematurely, hitting and running over the officer.

Eyewitnesses indicated that the driver continued driving after the collision, apparently unaware of the severity of the incident. Authorities later apprehended Jalloh, who had to be pursued. He is now in custody as the case is under investigation by the Port Loko Police Division.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Aminata Bangura, the District Traffic Officer for Port Loko, described the accident as one of the most horrific she has encountered. ASP Bangura revealed that the truck was transporting twenty live cows from Gbom Samba to Kamakuwie at the time of the incident.

WPC Mansaray’s body has been transported to the Connaught Mortuary in Freetown for a post-mortem examination and subsequently laid to rest in her hometown of Bo, Southern Province.

In an interview with the Sierra Leone News Agency (SLENA), ASP Bangura attributed the accident to reckless and inattentive driving. She assured that the investigation would be thorough and that legal proceedings would follow.

ASP Bangura also issued a stern warning to motorists, emphasizing the importance of proper vehicle maintenance, avoiding excessive speeding, and exercising caution, especially during the rainy season, to prevent such tragedies.

Source: Hassan Bruz Busri