THREE individuals cheated death after their RA4 vehicle veered into the bush and pulled off the gate of a fence in-front of the Forest Lake (Kunu) road, Auki, Malaita province, Friday.
The driver and the owner of the RA4 said they were on their way to drop-off his passengers when the incident happened.
“We were on a high speed at that time and that was around 4:30am,” he said.
“When going down the small hill before the road turning to Forest Lake (kunu), I was told by one of my colleagues who sat beside me to swing the vehicle down the road,” he added.
“I did not swing the vehicle but he did it instead. I only knew when we hit the fence.”
The incident caused massive damages to the RA4 as well as the fence.
The driver admitted they were drinking at that time.
Surprisingly, the driver sustained no injuries but he said that he knew nothing about his other two colleagues that he supposed to drop them off.
“I have no idea about where are they after the accident because they escaped immediately after we hit the fence.”
Meanwhile, Malaita Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Alfred Uiga said that his officers attended the incident and a case has been opened.
He advised drivers against driving when under the influence of alcohol.
“The incident was alcohol related and we (police) call on drivers to be cautious when driving.
“When you (driver) are behind the wheel don’t take alcohol because you are risking your live and that of your passengers.
“The message is simple, “don’t drink and drive or take alcohol when driving.”
By STEPHEN DI’ISANGO
in Auki