GOC Official Statement: Confirmed – Victim not part of Cook Islands team

(Honiara, Solomon Islands) The Sol2023 Pacific Games Organising Committee wishes to convey its sincerest condolences to the Government and the people of Cook Islands on the loss of one of its citizens in a traffic accident in Honiara this morning.

The unfortunate incident which is currently under Police investigations occurred at a popular fish and chips outlet at Kukum highway, the early hours of this morning.

GOC also wishes to clarify that the victim was not an athlete, team official or part of the Cook Islands Pacific Games Association (PGA) that attended the recently concluded Sol2023 Pacific Games.

GOC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Peter Stewart confirmed that the victim was from Cook Islands, however, he was not an athlete or a team official as has been previously reported and circulated on social media.

He clarified that the victim was in Honiara visiting his brother who was part of the Cook Islands team, adding that the victim had no direct affiliation with the Cook Islands PGA, and was in the Solomon Islands as a visitor.

GOC is providing support to the Cook Islands PGA and in the meantime calls on the public to respect the privacy of the victim and allow Police investigations to continue.