Cyclist, Child Trapped After Trailer Overturns in Oyam Crash

By Flavia Oyuu, Communications Office, Lira Diocese

Police in Oyam District are investigating a serious road crash that occurred on Wednesday morning along the Lira–Kamdini Road, leaving several people injured and rescue teams searching for a cyclist and her child believed to be trapped beneath an overturned trailer.

According to the North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson, SP Jimmy Patrick Okema, the accident happened at about 7:30 a.m. near the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) checkpoint in Kamdini.

Police identified the trailer as a Mercedes-Benz semi-trailer, registration number KDJ 001D/ZD 9275, driven by Mwendwa Komu, a Kenyan national and resident of Nairobi. The driver sustained critical injuries and was rushed to St. John’s Hospital Aber for treatment.

The cyclist was identified as Adero Miriam, 24, a resident of Pida Village, Pukucha Parish in Kamdini Sub-county, Oyam District. She was reportedly carrying her child, Angwen Miriam, when the trailer overturned. Police said both are believed to be trapped beneath the container, with only the bicycle visible at the scene as rescue operations continue.

Six passengers who were travelling in the trailer also sustained injuries. They were identified as Nasimiyu Rose, 40; Ogape Nicholas, 54; Nasimiyu Betty, 21; Felister Nelly, 29; Nandera Aisha, 3; and Nekesa Christine, aged one and a half years. All are residents of Kiryandongo District.

Preliminary police findings indicate that the trailer was travelling from Lira towards Kamdini when it reportedly rammed into the rear of a cement truck near the URA checkpoint. The driver is said to have lost control, crossed into the opposite lane, knocked the cyclist, veered into a roadside trench and overturned.

District Traffic Officer ASP Ochwo Apollo and Cpl Okongo Joachim visited the scene and are overseeing investigations.

Police said the trailer remains at the scene pending the arrival of a heavy recovery crane to facilitate rescue efforts and its removal. The cause of the crash has not yet been established.

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