PNG trek suspects caught, one killed

FOUR PNG men have been arrested, and a fifth killed as the fallout continues from last week's attack on trekkers and porters.

FOUR Papua New Guinea men have been arrested, and a fifth killed by angry villagers as the fallout continues from last week's savage Black Cat Track attack on a group of Australian and New Zealand trekkers and their porters.

Guides Kuia Kerry and Matthew Lasong were hacked to death when the group of Papuan porters, eight Australians and a New Zealander were ambushed by six men in PNG's Morobe province last Tuesday. Six guides were seriously injured.

PNG police commissioner Tom Kulunga praised the "tireless efforts" of those responsible for the arrests of four of the six attackers, made in forbidding terrain and in weather that had degenerated into torrential rain.

Mr Kulunga said: "I believe it is only a matter of time before the other two are captured and brought in."

One suspect was caught in Salamaua, a coastal town at the end of the Black Cat trail; the others were captured in Wau, the inland mining town that is the set-off point for trekkers.

The commissioner had flown to Morobe province to ensure police in the hunt were adequately equipped with air and ground transport and provisions.

He said those responsible for the payback death of a man blamed for harbouring the attackers would be arrested.

"Whilst the attack has done a lot of damage to the country in general and to some sections of the local Wau-Bulolo economy which depends on trekkers, we must not forget the dedication, commitment, loyalty and professionalism of all Papua New Guineans involved, including the local porters who defended the trekkers with their lives," he said.

Trek leader and only female in the group, former nurse Christie King, insisted yesterday she was no hero despite having faced down the attackers and then leading the party's survivors on a 5 1/2-hour trek to safety.

In a statement to the ABC, Ms King said she was deeply saddened by the loss of life and felt for the 19 PNG locals acting as porters on the trek, some of whom had limbs hacked off. "The attack was a frenzied, bloodied massacre which made no sense," she said. "I am so sorry these men have had to receive such terrible injuries."

She also paid tribute to her fellow trekkers, describing them as "the bravest, strongest men" she had ever met.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING: AAP