By Hassan Osman Kargbo
A tragic road accident occurred Monday, August 4, 2025 at Maxwell New Road in the Willington community- Freetown, leaving two people dead and several others injured. The incident, which unfolded during the early hours of the day, has shaken local residents and sparked fresh concerns over road safety during this rainy season.
According to eyewitnesses, the accident involved a commercial motorbike rider carrying a female passenger. They were coming from the PMB axis towards Willington when the motorbike slipped on the wet and slippery surface. “The rider lost control after his front tire skidded. They both fell in the middle of the road,” explained Mohamed Koroma, a shopkeeper who witnessed the incident from his storefront. “Before anyone could help them, a truck that was coming right behind them tried to swerve away. The driver did all he could to avoid running over them, but in the process, the truck collided with a private car. It was a terrible sight.”
Despite the truck driver’s efforts, the impact led to a fatal outcome. Both the rider and his female passenger were pronounced dead at the scene, while others involved in the collision sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Community members quickly gathered at the site, many visibly shaken by what they had seen. Fatmata Jalloh, a local resident, expressed sorrow and frustration. “It’s heartbreaking. These roads are dangerous, especially when it rains. The authorities need to do something. We can’t keep losing lives like this.”
Another bystander, 18-year-old school student Alusine Bangura, added, “I was coming back from morning classes when I saw the accident. It happened so fast. People were screaming. This could happen to anyone. We really need to be more careful.”
Mr. Abu Sesay, a known community stakeholder, spoke to Forum Newspaper, echoing the community’s concerns, and called on all road users to exercise extreme caution. “This is the rainy season, and the streets are not friendly. Our drivers and riders need to be more responsible. We all share these roads—safety must come first,” he said.
Mr. Sesay also urged the government and local authorities to improve road conditions and invest in public awareness campaigns to educate commercial riders and drivers on defensive driving techniques, especially during challenging weather conditions.
Monday’s tragedy adds to a growing number of road accidents reported across Freetown, many of which involve commercial motorbikes. Locals say poor road maintenance, lack of enforcement of traffic laws, and limited training for riders contribute to the frequency of such incidents.
As of Tuesday morning, police are continuing their investigation to determine the full circumstances surrounding the crash. The identities of the deceased have not yet been officially released, pending notification of their families.
Meanwhile, residents of Willington and surrounding areas are mourning the loss of two lives and calling for immediate action to make the roads safer.
The accident serves as a painful reminder of the deadly risks posed by unsafe road practices and the urgent need for change.
