A tragic bus fire late Saturday night, July 18, in River Gee County has claimed the lives of two people and left five others injured.
The incident occurred around 9: p.m. shortly the vehicle departed the Kanweaken parking lot.
The deceased have been identified as Joko Tweh, in his 50s, a well-known resident of Tienpo Statutory District, and his fiancée, Dorris Siah Breh.
Family members recalled how, Dorris, a Bassa businesswoman based in Fish Town, had traveled to Monrovia with Joko to complete their dowry payment.
The soon-to have been announced couple was returning home to finalize plans for their wedding scheduled for February, next year when the incident occurred.
River Gee County Coroner Jerry Kear, confirmed the incident, but said, the corpses were released to their families.
Two of the survivors, Felicia Kartuwaye and Felicia Seebo, all businesswomen from Pleebo, Maryland County, have been admitted at the Gbeapo Kanweaken Comprehensive Health Center.
“We left Monrovia on Thursday, but reached Kanweaken around 5: p.m., because of delays with cargo and passengers, we didn’t leave until 9: p.m.
”As soon as we pulled out, we saw flames at the front. The driver and his carboy escaped the scene leaving the passengers to fight on their own for survival.
Kartuwaye, a mother of three, added: “I thank God for saving my life.”
Local resident Johnson Doe said, he and his brother were on a motorbike when they saw the bus on fire.
“We stopped to help. Two women got out through the window. We tried to rescue an elderly man and another passenger we called ‘Papay,’ but the fire spread too fast. It became too dangerous, so we had to pull back,” Doe said.
Coroner Kear said preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by mechanical failure.
According to report, the driver is unconscious and has not made a statement.
The tragedy has sparked renewed calls from River Gee residents for the government to establish a fire service station in the county.
County officials say, they have worked with health authorities to support the survivors, and also with the families of the deceased.
