A tragic road accident involving one of the buses of the National Transit Authority (NTA) shuttling along the Monrovia-Ganta highway Wednesday killed several persons.

Only eight people survived the accident, according to reports. According to our correspondent, the bus was moving with a terrific speed when its tire punched, causing it to summersault not far from the notorious Gbatala Base of former President Charles Taylor.

The New Republic has not been able get the actual number people killed in the tragic bus crash but our correspondent says there were many bodies lying dead, with some stuck on the branches of trees. A horrific scene was the body of a person that had been cut into two.

Bystanders alongside passengers and motorists of other vehicles used axe and machetes to cut through the bus in order to rescue injured and remove dead bodies dripping with blood.

"Since I was born, I have never seen such an accident," said 45-year-old John Flomo who boarded the bus from its Paynesville station. The whole bus is nothing but blood. The people are still taking out dead bodies as I speak to you," Flomo our correspondent via mobile phone.

Eyewitnesses say they watched bodies being taken to the Phebe Hospital in Bong County via fleet of ambulances. "We are hearing that the mortuary at the hospital (Phebe) is filled to capacity," said KorpoKerkula, a businesswoman on another vehicle that stopped to assist at the scene of the accident.

"You could see blood dripping from the dead bodies and some the people who got hurt when they were being taken to the hospital.”This is a sad day for all us-the market people, the people who travel on this road and even the NTA people," she said.

NTA authorities could not be reached for detailed information on the accident, the first of its kind since NTA buses began shuttling Monrovia and other parts of the country.

Statement By National Transit Authority on Tragic Accident

Fellow Liberians, the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of the National Transit Authority (NTA) regret to announce a tragic accident involving one of NTA buses at Zeanzue, Bong County. Bus No. 5138 left Monrovia on Tuesday at 8:00am and headed for Ganta, Nimba County. The bus crew consisted of Mr. Robert F. Lamie (driver) and Saymon Jarwleah (conductor). Bus No. 5138 departed Red Light with 68 passengers, including women and children.

At 12:00 noon around Zeanzue in Bong County, bus No. 5138 operated by Robert F. Lamie experienced a tragic accident. The cause of this accident is still unknown. Officers of the Liberia National Police and our accident investigation team are investigating the cause of this tragic accident.

Fellow Liberians, as a result of the sad event, we lost six (6) commuters and several others sustained major and minor injuries. Immediately upon hearing the disturbing news, we dispatched an advanced team to Zeanzue. The locals of Zeanzue, LNP officers, other commuters and our advanced team worked frantically to remove the victims from the wreckage.
Fellow Liberians, we like to inform you that it is been confirmed that six (6) of our fellow Liberian commuters died during the accident and 55 commuters sustained injuries (major & minor) and were taken to Phebe Hospital. On the same day, Phebe Hospital treated and discharged 30 commuters who experienced minor injuries. Currently, twenty-five (25) commuters are being treated at Phebe Hospital in Suakoko, Bong County. Information on these commuters will be released to the press and public as they unfold.

Fellow Liberians, the National Transit Authority is deeply hurt and saddened by this accident. As we face this national catastrophe, we are in prayer and remain empathetic with those Liberians who are victims of this tragedy. Along with our insurance partners and the Liberia National Police, we will do everything in our grasp to bring the situation under control and to work with the medical team at Phebe Hospital.

We remain committed to providing affordable, convenient and reliable transportation service to the people of Liberia. Going forward, we will enhance our safety measures to prevent the re-occurrence of such sad situation.

May their souls and the souls of all faithful departed rest in perfect and perpetual peace.