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A potentially deadly hazard on the Congo Cross Bridge has triggered a rapid series of events, culminating in an intervention by the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) after a concerned citizen took matters into his own hands.
The alarm was first raised on the evening of January 25, when Freetown resident Trevor Young identified a missing section of the bridge’s railing while walking from FSSG toward Congo Cross. Describing the situation as a “death trap,” Young reported a completely exposed five-to-six-storey drop into pitch darkness, with no caution tape, barricades, or warning signs to alert pedestrians.
“With pedestrians, mainly young people, passing like this is normal. This is far from normal… this is gross negligence,” Young wrote in a widely circulated social media post, warning that the lack of safety measures could lead to a fatality.
By Monday morning, January 26, the situation remained unchanged. Frustrated by the lack of official action, Young returned to the site and declared the inaction “willful negligence.” Refusing to wait for a tragedy, he mobilized private resources to secure the area.
Young engaged a private welder, identified as Mr. Sam, to take measurements for a temporary railing. In the interim, the team installed caution tape to warn unsuspecting pedestrians, citing the immediate risk to school children and daily commuters. A private engineer brought in to assess the damage noted that this specific section of the bridge had been struck by vehicles previously, suggesting a recurring safety issue.
Following the public outcry and the private start to repairs, the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) stepped in later that evening.
In an update posted at 19:09 on Monday, Young confirmed that he had been in contact with SLRA Chief Engineer Mr. John Kamara. According to Young, the SLRA provided a “swift response” once engaged, with Mr. Kamara explaining that the delay in addressing the damage was partly due to the recent holiday period.
“I sincerely appreciate the time Mr. Kamara took to provide clarity and explain the circumstances,” Young stated, commending the Authority for its eventual openness and professionalism.
The incident has highlighted the critical role of civic vigilance in public safety, transforming a moment of potential danger into a collaborative resolution between citizens and state authorities.
