Waleed PD Mahdini and
Hadi DP Mahmud
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
22-May-07
A POLICE OUTRIDER of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam's escort sustained serious injuries during rush hour traffic late yesterday afternoon after a collision with another vehicle at Jalan Beribi.
According to witnesses who saw the incident, the collision occurred between one of the police riders on His Majesty's motorcade, which was moving from Jalan Telanai to Sengkurong with another vehicle that was moving from the intersection at Beribi to Sengkurong.
His Majesty, who was driving closely behind the police rider swerved immediately to avoid the collision that unfolded in front of his vehicle.
Witnesses then reported seeing His Majesty stop his vehicle and climb out, which ground rush hour traffic to a standstill. A good samaritan, who according to witnesses said was driving a blue Suzuki Vitara, was approached by the monarch, who then climbed into the vehicle.
It was unclear where the vehicle with the monarch in it was headed for.
According to a reliable source at Ripas Hospital, the fallen rider suffered serious head injuries as a result of the collision and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, where he was put on life support.
Several onlookers had earlier described that the rider skidded from his motorcycle upon colliding with the car.
There has been no official word from the authorities but according to reliable onlookers at the scene, it is believed that His Majesty is safe and well.
Authorities have in the past repeatedly advised motorists to pull their vehicles to the side of the road and allow emergency vehicles, such as ambulances and fire-engines as well as official motorcades to pass through.
The Brunei Times
