RUMBEK – Police in South Sudan’s Lakes State have confirmed the deaths of a young girl, Achol Arop Mapuor, and 40-year-old Makur Dharuai Yor, in two separate road accidents that occurred in different locations within Rumbek East County on Thursday.
The incidents happened at Naam-thok and Pachuk areas, according to Lt. Col. Daniel Majuec Mayek, the Director of the Traffic Police in Lakes State. He said an investigation is ongoing into the accident that claimed the life of Achol Arop Mapuor.
“Traffic police investigators have gone to the scene to find out how the girl was moving—whether she was on the correct side of the road,” Lt. Col. Majuec explained. “What happened is that some vehicles were travelling from Wau to Juba, and the girl, identified as Achol Arop Mapuor, was on a bicycle. I don’t know exactly what happened, but a moving vehicle knocked her down and killed her on the road.”
He said the accident occurred at Naam-thok and that he was informed late that night. “Our team from Rumbek East County went to the scene, and they captured the driver and the vehicle. Unfortunately, the girl died on the spot, but we are still verifying if it was indeed the vehicle that caused her death.”
The vehicle involved was not a government vehicle but a commercial fuel tanker. The driver has since been detained and is under police custody as investigations continue.
In a separate accident, Lt. Col. Majuec reported that a man identified as Marial Dharuai Yor died while riding a motorcycle. He was travelling from Rumbek State headquarters to Rumbek East County.
“On his way, something unknown happened. He fell into a water-filled ditch and drowned,” said the police director. “The following morning, his lifeless body and motorcycle were discovered in the stream.”
He added that the deceased sustained severe head injuries. “This is exactly what we have been warning people about on the radio—to avoid over-speeding,” Majuec stressed. “Over-speeding can result in death, whether you’re on a motorbike or in a car.”
He emphasised that the roads are currently in poor condition due to the rainy season. “When you drive slowly, you have a better chance of arriving safely. But when you over-speed, you may die before reaching your destination. We have spoken extensively to raise awareness, but many people are still not listening.”
He said it is unclear whether the deceased was drunk or if the motorcycle lacked headlights. “No one knows for sure what led to the accident,” he added, noting that the deceased man was estimated to be around 40 years old.
