Photo|Courtesy

One person was killed and two others injured after a truck overturned and fell on roadside vendors in Leer County on Tuesday, Authorities in Unity State have confirmed to Eye Radio Tuesday.

Nyakenya Yohanis, the state government spokesperson and Minister of Information, said the victims were hawkers selling snacks by the roadside when the accident occurred.

She said a young boy died on the spot, while two others were rushed to hospital with injuries and are responding well to treatment.

“It is an unfortunate incident that happened in Leer. The young people were there, they were hawkers selling their goods on the roadside and the trailer came and fell on them,” Yohanis said.

“One died and the other two are in hospital, they are faring well. Only one young boy died,” she added.

The minister said the truck was transporting commercial goods from Juba to Leer County and belonged to a local businessman.

She confirmed that the driver and the owner of the truck have been taken into custody as investigations into the cause of the accident continue.

“The driver is detained, he is in custody now. The owner of the truck has been detained and the government has taken over the issue,” she said.

Yohanis added that tensions briefly emerged after the incident as the family of the deceased expressed anger, but authorities intervened to contain the situation.

“There was a bit of tension because the family of the young boy came and they were furious, but the commissioner has taken up the issue,” she said.

She offered condolences to the bereaved family and wished the injured a speedy recovery.