Gruesome accident leaves Coach dead and players injured
By Mohamed Toby Kargbo and Reginal Brian Sawyerr
A gruesome road accident has left Ports Authority Football Club shaken, after the team bus was involved in an accident on their way to Kenema on Tuesday evening. Head Coach, Lamin Bangura was pronounced dead by medics upon arrival at the hospital given the extent of the damage.
Club Secretary General, Margo Tarawally said the whole team have been moved back to Freetown with six of the players in critical condition.
“All of them have been moved to Freetown last night, some of the players have been admitted at Connaught and those in critical condition are admitted at Emergency. The driver is also in critical condition, unfortunately the apprentice dies on the spot.”
The accident occured at Konta Line, few kilometers away from Masiaka. The team had stopped briefly at Masiaka to break their fast for the day, for the muslim players. The accident happened shortly after they resumed their journey late in the evening.
Bangura who passed away, won the Sierra Leone Premier League with Diamond Stars in 2012. he was also an instrumental figure in qualifying the national team as a player, to the 1996 Nations Cup.
Tribute have since been pouring in from teams, well wishers and the FA.
“Our heart goes out to the club, families, friends and individuals who lost their lives including the Head Coach, Lamin Bangura. We extend our sincere condolences to you all,” a release from the FA stated.
Premier League Board Chairman, Victor Lewis announced this morning on the Epic Morning Show, that all Premier League games have been suspended.
“Games that were scheduled for today, right through to the weekends have all been postponed, until further notice. We will do a release on this and inform all those concerned.”
Western Area Football Association has also cancelled Division 1 matches. Football regions in the South and East have also cancelled their fixtures.
