A 20-year-old male is in police custody in relation to a traffic incident that resulted in the death of a foreign pilot early last Sunday along Honiara’s Kukum Highway.
Police say the foreigner is part Cook Islands and Samoa and was in the country to meet his brother, who led the Cook Islands team to the Pacific Games.
The deceased works for Air Niugini and is based in Port Moresby. He is not an athlete.
Head of police traffic William Foufaka explained the vehicle was travelling in an easterly direction at high speed. The 20-year-old driver was allegedly drunk.
Foufaka said when the vehicle reached Saru beach, it veered off the road and hit the rail outside from the low lane, which pushed the vehicle back to the high lane.
“The vehicle was still going at the same speed and hit the middle Island at St. Nicholas Junction,” Foufaka said.
“ After the hit the vehicle jumped and hit the rail outside of the low lane again, which twisted the vehicle and hit the deceased,” he added.
Foufaka said investigation into the accident is continuing and asked those present at the scene to assist police with information.
He added police have been advocating on road safety but some vehicle drivers are so ignorant to take heed of traffic rules when they are on the road.
He relayed police condolences to relatives of the deceased.
