Man, 76, dies after minibus collision on Limassol-Paphos motorway

Paramali, Cyprus. A 76-year-old man died after being struck by a minibus while trying to remove a fridge that had fallen from his double-cab pickup on the Limassol-Paphos motorway.

The minibus driver was arrested as British Bases Police and the Bases’ road traffic collision investigation team examine the circumstances of the crash.

Collision circumstances

The fridge fell from the rear of the pickup after the tunnel and before the Paramali exit, under circumstances that remain under investigation.

The pickup driver reversed towards the location where the fridge had fallen and got out to move it from the road. A passing minibus then struck him.

According to information obtained by Philenews, the pickup had been stopped on the road in an improvised manner. The minibus first collided with the pickup before striking the 76-year-old man, who was fatally injured.

His grandson, who had been travelling in the pickup, got out of the vehicle unharmed.

Investigation and traffic disruption

The minibus was carrying passengers to Paphos airport. Its driver was arrested and underwent alcohol and drug testing.

Investigators are expected to take a statement from the driver and statements from other minibus passengers.

The crash site falls within the jurisdiction of the British Bases. Limassol traffic police attended to assist at the scene and direct traffic, while the British Bases said the victim’s relatives had been informed.

The Paphos-bound lanes of the Limassol-Paphos motorway were closed for several hours, from the Kantou exit after the tunnel until midday.

Traffic to Paphos was diverted via the Kantou exit onto the old Limassol-Paphos road. Drivers were also advised to use the Erimi exit to reach the old road and the Avdimou entrance to rejoin the motorway.