Tue, 19 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Two Australians killed, two more injured in expressway accident

20 June 2018 08:15 am - 31     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Two Australian nationals, a woman and her daughter were killed and another three including two Australians were injured when a van crashed into a lorry near the 65 km post at Kurundugahahetekma on the Southern Expressway this morning.

Police said the lorry had been parked beside the road due to a technical fault and the van which was travelling towards Galle from Kottawa had crashed the lorry and toppled over.

Four Australians and the driver of the lorry who were injured in the accident were admitted to the Nagoda Hospital.

The 37-year-old Louis Monica and her 4-year old daughter, Collin Poppy have succumbed to injuries.(Darshana Sanjeewa)

 

Video by Anuradha Priyadarshana, Buddhi


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 31

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Lankaboy Wednesday, 20 June 2018 09:31 AM

    This will hit tourism industry.. No proper trsifc rules or mechanism when a vehicle stoped on Motorway or any other ways.. They have to implement very strict rules to put a sign when some one stop in Motorways. I don't know there is any rules exist in SL for this

    BuffaloaCitizen Wednesday, 20 June 2018 10:10 AM

    It is worse, I have seen maintenance crew of highways reverse/park and even cross from one side to the other indiscriminately. The highway patrol car cruises on the left side at 30kmph becoming a hazard to vehicles travelling at 100kmph.

    Jaliya Wednesday, 20 June 2018 10:46 PM

    This HWY has been constructed with no safety .... the cost cutting was given first priority over the safety due to paybacks and commissions were given to political clan at the time of construction. One drive on this hwy will make you understand the grave hazardous conditions that is being exposed to the drivers and passengers.

    Praveena Thursday, 21 June 2018 05:18 PM

    And people flashing their headlights like maniacs when overtaking! That's a hazard too.

    Meth Wednesday, 20 June 2018 10:09 AM

    In other countries it is mandatory to carry road triangles to be placed some meters away on either side. Police will fine if on inspection triangles are not carried in vehicle.

    Charles Wednesday, 20 June 2018 01:33 PM

    In other countries it is mandatory for vehicles like this to have seatbelts. In Sri Lanka almost none have them except for the front seat leading to avoidable tragedies like this.Very sad for something like this to happen when so very avoidable.

    kamalhot1 Wednesday, 20 June 2018 10:11 AM

    This has happened looks like on an exit or entrance way!

    Aquarius Wednesday, 20 June 2018 10:11 AM

    These highways are badly planned with no emergency lanes for vehicles in case of a breakdown. The tiny strips are inadequate and fatal for all users.

    Sidy Wednesday, 20 June 2018 10:31 AM

    Now people will start posting stuff like this will have a bad impact on tourism as a whole. This is just another road accident

    lkboy Wednesday, 20 June 2018 10:33 AM

    How sad!

    truth Wednesday, 20 June 2018 10:53 AM

    They allow every vehicle to enter expressway irrespective of the condition of the vehicle. This has created a lot of problems for the motorists.

    Lafiri Wednesday, 20 June 2018 10:54 AM

    Very sad and tragic to see two lives lost due to pure negligence to road safety...its a shame these people who obey correct and strict road rules in their countries have to come here and die. feeling really heart broken to see a four year old go forever.... May they RIP and speedy recoveries to the injured...

    Citizen Wednesday, 20 June 2018 11:11 AM

    Very sad. RIP little Angel!

    NA Thursday, 21 June 2018 03:39 PM

    I cannot understand the mentality or the purpose of red arrowing a comment like this one. Ok, I got it, the bugger probably didn't understand the letters RIP.

    Saman Wednesday, 20 June 2018 11:25 AM

    In SL, nothing is done properly by the book. There is no proper diver licensing process in place. Nobody obeys the traffic rules. Roads are sub par! Vehicles with faults are on roads! Police can't do their jobs independently without political interference. Human life is cheap! I feel sorry for the dead! Should have gone to Bali instead!

    John Wednesday, 20 June 2018 01:28 PM

    I am amazed tourists come to SL.Overpriced hotels and poor service everywhere.

    Praveena Thursday, 21 June 2018 05:22 PM

    Just a couple of days ago an army truck decided to change lanes when we were just about a few seconds away from overtaking him. Please educate people on how to drive on the motorway.

    weera Wednesday, 20 June 2018 11:26 AM

    Driver of the van had crashed on to a stopped lorry. Was he blind?

    Stunned Citizen Wednesday, 20 June 2018 11:36 AM

    Blame the bad drivers and lawmen, lorries should not be allowed on highways plain and simple. The Department of Motor Traffic tests for drivers are a farce, any monkey can pass a test, plus those who train, needs to be obviously trained to train. No standards, as always in Arshikland!

    BuffaloaCitizen Wednesday, 20 June 2018 01:29 PM

    One needs Rs. 2,500 to get a license, never mind if you know rules nor even know to drive... this is absolute truth.

    Mohamed Wednesday, 20 June 2018 12:07 PM

    Width of the road is not at all enough to reduce any risk and very narrow for a highway - There is no buffer area on the road in the event of an accident - Our driver is insane typical sri Lankan bus driver - Mate bring proper training to the country

    BuffaloaCitizen Wednesday, 20 June 2018 01:27 PM

    Most of the drivers of 3-wheelers

    sinhabahu Wednesday, 20 June 2018 12:14 PM

    If the stopped vehicle put the Hazards lights it may have prevented this sad incident. May them R.I.Peace

    Be Fair Wednesday, 20 June 2018 12:51 PM

    Need to address it at the grass root level. Hope the authorities will have the foresight to revamp the issuance of Drivers License and inculcate good Driving habits, courtesies on the road.

    John Wednesday, 20 June 2018 12:55 PM

    Were they wearing seatbelts, or was the van they were in one of the very many that have none for anyone but the frontseat?I now refuse to get in these vans or let my family in them because of accidents like this!BTW I am Australian...

    Saman Wednesday, 20 June 2018 02:08 PM

    So am I. I feel sorry for the devastated family in Australia.

    NA Thursday, 21 June 2018 03:36 PM

    Looking at the wreckage of the van, nothing would have saved the poor people. Rest in Peace angels and speedy recovery to the rest of the family. Where is the condolences from this government which issue all kinds of messages when some thug gets killed?

    Sea Wednesday, 20 June 2018 02:18 PM

    Feeling very sad.DM should put this in the FrontPage as headline.To make awareness.

    Gayan Wednesday, 20 June 2018 07:43 PM

    Why are lories allowed in the highway in the first place?

    Palli Kanda Thursday, 21 June 2018 09:50 AM

    Some ignorant drivers have no idea how to drive on a freeway. I haven't seen families on joy rides on these roads and driven awfully bad. The highway patrol should hand over a leaflet at the entrance telling these fools how to drive on freeway. So sorry for the unfortunate Australian family.

    citisen silva Thursday, 21 June 2018 06:59 PM

    Firstly i think container didn't have any tail light.Other thing is in some part of southern highway there are no street lights.authorities should pay attention to this.


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H

Will the Mannar wind power project kill ecological treasures?

In February 2023, Adani Green Energy (Sri Lanka) Ltd was given provisional ap

MIRROR CRICKET

More