**76-Year-Old Man Killed by Minibus on Limassol-Paphos Highway**
A tragic accident occurred on Wednesday on the Limassol-Paphos highway, resulting in the death of a 76-year-old man. The incident took place after the man stopped to retrieve a refrigerator that had fallen from his vehicle while traveling with his grandson.
According to reports from British base police, the elderly man was driving a double-cabin vehicle when the refrigerator dislodged and landed on the roadway near the tunnel at Episkopi, just before the exit to Paramali. In an attempt to move the appliance out of the way, he exited his vehicle and walked back towards the fallen refrigerator.
While he was retrieving the item, a minibus, which was transporting passengers to Paphos airport, struck both the refrigerator and the elderly man. Emergency services were called to the scene, but the man's death was confirmed upon their arrival. Fortunately, his grandson, who was traveling with him, was not injured in the incident.
Following the collision, the driver of the minibus was arrested and subjected to alcohol and drug testing as part of standard procedure. Authorities are in the process of gathering statements from the driver, passengers on the minibus, and any witnesses who may have observed the accident.
The section of the highway where the accident occurred falls within the jurisdiction of the British bases, and as such, the investigation is being conducted by British police along with their traffic accident investigation team. Limassol traffic police also responded to the scene to assist with managing the traffic flow, which was significantly disrupted.
In the aftermath of the collision, the tunnel was closed in the direction of Paphos for several hours. Traffic was redirected through the old Limassol-Paphos Road via Kantou, causing delays for drivers in the area. The tunnel has since been reopened to traffic.
British base police are actively seeking assistance from the public, appealing to any drivers who may have witnessed the collision or have relevant dashcam footage to come forward. Their cooperation could be crucial in the ongoing investigation into this unfortunate incident.
The circumstances surrounding the accident highlight the dangers that can arise on busy highways, particularly when drivers need to stop unexpectedly. Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of road safety and the need for caution when traveling, especially in high-traffic areas.
As the investigation unfolds, more details may emerge regarding the factors that contributed to this tragic event. For now, the community mourns the loss of the 76-year-old man, whose life was cut short in a moment of unforeseen circumstances.