Third PNG porter dies after attack on trekkers

A porter who survived a deadly attack on a group of trekkers on a remote Papua New Guinea bush trail has died in hospital, taking the death toll to three.

The news comes after the capture and arrest of four men suspected in last Tuesday's attack on an international group and their PNG guides in PNG's Morobe province.

Lionel Agilo, one of the seven porters critically injured during the bloody ambush on the group, as they camped along the Black Cat trail, died in hospital in Lae on Sunday night.

A police spokesman confirmed Mr Agilo's death to AAP today.

Eight Australians, a New Zealander and about 18 PNG porters were attacked by six men armed with machetes a rifle and a homemade shotgun on Tuesday.

Porters Kuia Kerry and Matthew Lasong were killed in what survivors called an act of "butchery", too graphic to describe.

The group faced a terrifying 30 minute ordeal as the bandits - or Raskols - hit the captives with machetes and ransacked their packs.

On Sunday police, aided by villagers from Black Cat trail towns Wau and Salamaua, arrested four men on suspicion of carrying out the attack.

"I believe it is only a matter of time before the other two are captured and brought in," Police Commissioner Tom Kulunga said in a statement on Sunday."Whilst I encourage the local community to continue to assist police capture the remaining attackers I urge you not to take the law into you own hands.

"The attack was an isolated and one-off incident and not a reflection of the generally friendly people of the Morobe Province."

Meanwhile, the survivors of Tuesday's machete attack have set up a trust fund for the porters who were injured in the ambush.

ONE News