A 55-year-old man has died and a 44-year-old man is hospitalized in serious condition following a locomotive accident in Lausa, Tavua, which occurred around noon yesterday. The injured individual is currently receiving treatment at the Aspen Medical Lautoka Hospital.
Both men were employees of the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) and were transporting sugarcane to the Rarawai Mill in Ba when the incident took place. Eyewitness reports indicate that the locomotive derailed from the Lausa FSC Train lane bridge.
According to the Divisional Police Commander Western, Senior Superintendent of Police Iakabo Vaisewa, the locomotive tipped to the left and fell approximately five meters into a dry creek along with several cane carts. Both individuals became trapped inside the locomotive until rescue teams from Tavua Police and the Fire Station were able to extricate them.
SSP Vaisewa confirmed that a police investigation is currently underway. Additionally, National Fire Authority Chief Fire Officer Qionilau Moceitai mentioned that 18 officers were involved in the rescue operation, employing a block and tackle method with pulleys and ropes, while FSC employees used welding gas tools to cut through steel to free the victims, as a crane was unable to reach the site.
An eyewitness noted that the locomotive was carrying sugarcane when a wheel reportedly detached from the axle, leading to the accident. Local advisory councilor Jai Kissun stated that the incident occurred around noon, and it took until 3 PM for rescue workers to free the victims. FSC Chief Executive Officer Bhan Pratap Singh declined to comment on the accident when approached for a statement.