- Tragedy struck on Saturday, January 17, 2026, along the LPMC Road in Gbarnga when a man identified as Williams Bandah, believed to be in his early 40s, reportedly fell from a palm tree and died. The incident has cast a pall of grief over the community and renewed concerns about occupational safety and livelihood risks.
According to a medical report obtained by The New Dawn, Bandah sustained critical injuries from the fall and was pronounced dead at about 6:30 p.m. Preliminary information indicates that he was climbing the palm tree at the time of the accident, an activity commonly associated with subsistence palm harvesting in many parts of the country.
Eyewitnesses told this paper that the incident occurred in the evening hours, drawing scores of residents to the scene in an effort to render assistance. However, by the time medical personnel arrived, Bandah had already succumbed to his injuries.
The sudden death has left residents along the LPMC Road corridor in shock, with many expressing growing alarm over the increasing number of accidents linked to unsafe working conditions. Community members cited the absence of protective gear and limited safety awareness among informal workers who depend on palm harvesting and similar activities for survival.
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Community leaders and concerned citizens are now urging government authorities and development partners to strengthen safety education, provide skills training, and expand alternative livelihood opportunities, warning that such preventable deaths will continue unless urgent interventions are implemented.
Meanwhile, police have launched preliminary assessments into the incident, though no foul play is suspected. Bandah's remains have since been turned over to his family, who are reportedly making arrangements for his burial.
The death of Williams Bandah underscores the silent dangers faced daily by many Liberians in their struggle for survival, highlighting the urgent need for development-driven interventions that prioritize human safety while promoting sustainable livelihoods.
