OLTEDAL (VG) A large number of vehicles with flashing lights drove calmly through Oltedal center in the direction of the accident site on Monday afternoon.
Just updated
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They wanted to mark the memory of the two young people who died in the motorcycle accident on Sunday night.
19-year-olds Marte Lima Espeland and Tor Martin Utvik were lovers. They were on their way from a social gathering, then the fatal accident occurred on Hunnedalsveien between Oltedal and Dirdal in Rogaland night to Sunday.
–Monday night there was a memorial service in Oltedal church, where Marte was confirmed only a few years ago. The small community with around a thousand inhabitants is very much affected by having lost the 19-year-old.
– It’s a shock to everyone here. Absolutely unreal, really. Marte was one of the first I confirmed. It is cruel both for the affected communities and for the families. Everyone is affected by this. She lived here in the valley, says parish priest Bjarte Hetlebakke to VG.
Espeland from Oltedal in Gjesdal and Utvik from Hommersåk in Sandnes are now part of a rising but disappointing accident statistics on Norwegian roads so far this year.
–– This is so unspeakably sad. Two young people at the very beginning of their adult lives have been taken from us. We should wish this tragic traffic accident unharmed, said mayor Frode Fjeldsbø during the memorial service.
He stressed the importance of unity and comfort after the loss of the two local youths.
In Rogaland alone, nine people have died in traffic from New Year to 27 June 2022.
–Tor Martin and Marte’s friend, Lars Engel Ulfsnes (20) thinks the loss of the two girlfriends is nitrous.
– Tor Martin and I started together in first grade at primary school. I eventually got to know Marte. The two were inseparable and a great couple. It was so smiling and gentle all the time. Luckily I met him last weekend. He was a type that affected many, says Ulfsnes.
Gloomy statistics
The spring and early summer of 2022 have been marked by many serious accidents throughout the country. There are three times as many fatalities this spring compared to last year.
–So far this year, preliminary figures from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration show that 60 people have died on Norwegian roads. For the first half of last year – up to and including June – the corresponding figure was 31.
– Was there for people around him
The friends Sunniva Sandanger and Julia Wodzinska do not call themselves close friends of the two who died. But Julia remembers Tor Martin Utvik as a very special classmate from junior high school.
– He was a good boy. He was there for the people around him. Gave me a hug when I was down, says Julia about the time when she went to class with Utvik.
– Both he and Marte were so happy and bubbly. This is so sad, Julia and Sunniva say while tears well up.
Worked at SFO
Mayor Frode Fjeldsbø in Gjesdal, tells VG that Marte Lima Espeland only got good shots as a child and youth worker with a fresh trade certificate in Gjesdal municipality.
– She grew up here in Oltedal with around 1000 inhabitants. Most people know most people. It is a strong and dense environment. Marte has been employed by us in the municipality. At SFO, where she worked, she was highly praised during a meeting there earlier today. It is a positive, outgoing girl who has made an impression on people, the mayor describes.
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