A 76-year-old man died on the Limassol-Paphos motorway after getting out of his double-cab pickup to move a fridge that had fallen onto the road, and was struck by a passing minibus. Police arrested the minibus driver, and authorities are investigating the circumstances of the crash.
The fridge fell from the back of the pickup at a point after the tunnel and before the Paramali exit, under circumstances still being investigated. The driver reversed back towards where the fridge had fallen, then got out to move it off the road. At that moment, a passing minibus struck him.
Philenews understands the pickup had been left stopped in the road in an improvised manner, causing the minibus driver to hit it and then strike the 76-year-old. He was fatally injured. His grandson, who had been travelling with him in the vehicle, got out unharmed.
According to the same information, the minibus driver was arrested and given an alcohol and drugs test. Investigators are expected to take his statement, along with statements from the other passengers in the minibus.
The minibus had been carrying passengers to Paphos airport.
The area falls under the jurisdiction of the British Bases. Limassol traffic police officers went to the scene to help and direct traffic.
British Bases Police, together with the Bases’ road traffic collision investigation team, are investigating the circumstances of the crash. The British Bases said the victim’s relatives have been informed.
Motorway closed towards Paphos
The Limassol-Paphos motorway was closed for several hours in the Paphos-bound direction because of the collision, from the Kantou exit after the tunnel until midday. Traffic heading to Paphos was diverted onto the old Limassol-Paphos road via the Kantou exit.
Drivers were also advised to use the Erimi exit as an alternative route to reach the old road.
To rejoin the motorway, drivers could use the Avdimou entrance.
