(RUMBEK EAST) – Two people, including a young girl and a 40 year old man, lost their lives on Thursday in separate road accidents in Rumbek East County, Lakes State, according to local police and government officials.
Traffic police identified the victims as Achol Arop Mapuor, a school age girl who was cycling in the Naam-thok area and Makur Dharuai Yor, a man travelling by motorbike near the Nyinabhar area. Both incidents occurred under rainy conditions that have made road surfaces in the region particularly slippery.
According to Moses Machuoc Bol, a traffic police investigation officer, the girl was struck and killed by a fuel tanker travelling along the route from Wau to Juba.
“She was riding a bicycle when the accident happened. Our officers responded immediately, arrested the driver, and impounded the fuel tanker involved,” he said.
The girl was reportedly cycling from Akot Payam to Aduel County Headquarters when she was hit. Rumbek East County Commissioner Malual Anyuon confirmed that her body was returned to Akot for burial. He added that the matter is now in the hands of her family, who will decide whether to pursue the case in court or negotiate directly with the fuel tanker owner.
In a separate but unrelated incident, police said Makur Dharuai Yor was riding a motorcycle from Rumbek Town back to Rumbek East County after attending dowry negotiations for a relative in Eastern Bahr Naam when he reportedly fell into a roadside water culvert and drowned.
The exact cause of the second accident remains unclear.
“Nobody knows what happened, but the rider fell into a hole containing water and was found dead the next morning along with his motorbike,” said officer Machuoc. “He sustained multiple fractures. No signs of foul play or gunshots were found on his body.”
Commissioner Anyuon, who visited the site, confirmed the body showed no bullet wounds or signs of violence. “It appears to have been an unfortunate accident, likely caused by poor visibility and road conditions.”
Authorities say both accidents took place in areas recently affected by heavy rainfall, which has left many rural roads in poor condition.
The police have reiterated safety warnings and cautioned the public against speeding and reckless driving, especially during the rainy season. “We have been warning people through the radio,” Machuoc said. “Speed kills.”
Lakes State, like many parts of South Sudan, faces ongoing challenges with infrastructure, especially road maintenance. Many roads lack proper drainage and barriers, making travel hazardous during the rainy season.
Authorities have called for more caution among motorists and pedestrians alike, especially in rural counties where emergency response and road signage are limited.
