June 27, 2016, was a black day for the population of Kumba in Meme Division of the South Region.

They woke up that fateful morning to news of the passing on of three commercial motorbike riders crushed to death by a front-loader caterpillar in Fiango in front of K’town Hotel at about 7.45 am.

Bisong Randy Enow, one of the riders died on the spot, while Fonyam Sylvone and Nkwenkap Eugene, later gave up the ghost in the Kumba District Hospital.

The other 9 victims are still in the hospital where medics are giving special medical attention. Some of the victims suffered fractures on legs, arms and heads, with many in critical conditions.

The population spent the day running between the scene of the accident in Fiango and the Kumba District Hospital to personally see the horror.

The driver of the caterpillar in mad rush drove into a township taxi with three passengers and then four motorbike riders. It ended up pulling down the wall of K’town Hotel and was only stopped by another parked vehicle in the premises.

The Senior Divisional Officer, SDO, for Meme, Koulbout Aman David, the Divisional Officer, DO, for Kumba II and security men immediately rushed to the scene of the accident in Fiango and then the hospital to comfort the victims and their families. The SDO urged the Director of the Hospital and his staff to pay more attention to the victims.

The surviving nine victims who are responding in hospital are Mbango Tapitha, Eboe Ebande, Miken nee Nkem Adeline, Ngum Trossey, Mbango Taseu, Oben Nerogon, Matute Sone, Doh Kinsley, and Tambi Ramson. As at press time, the caterpillar driver was still on the run, while security men have opened investigations into the matter.