Teenager dies on way home from school

AN 18-year-old student from Nicosia’s Grammar School was yesterday killed on his way home from school, police said.

Stefanos Polycarpou from Tseri was driving home from school when, under circumstances being investigated, he lost control of his car and swerved off course, smashing into an electricity pole and subsequently landing upside down in an adjacent field. The accident occurred at around 2pm on Costas Misiaouli street in Tseri, said police.

Polycarpou was taken to Nicosia general hospital where duty doctors pronounced him dead.

Police said the 18-year-old’s car had been completely destroyed in the collision and was taken to Nicosia police headquarters. According to police, he was wearing a seat belt.

The authorities have appealed to anyone with any information about the accident to contact Nicosia traffic police, the nearest police station or to call the citizen’s phone line on 1460.

Following yesterday’s tragedy police reiterated the need for drivers’ to adopt a road safety conscience, something Cypriot drivers are said to lack.

In recent months the police have upped efforts to clamp down on the number of road deaths on the island, including increased traffic police campaigns, increased road safety lessons in schools and road safety seminars for police and Communication, Justice and Education Ministries personnel.

Police said Polycarpou was this year’s tenth road victim.

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