On August 14, 1985, a bus accident near Nausori Town resulted in a miraculous escape for twenty-five passengers when the vehicle tumbled into a river. The 65-seater bus, operated by Sharma Buses Ltd, was on its normal route from Baulevu to Suva when it fell seven meters from the Kasavu Bridge.
Reportedly, the incident began with the left side of the bridge collapsing, causing women and children onboard to cry out for help as the bus began to tip. The driver, Bal Krishna, 40, recalled the frightening moments leading up to the accident, describing them as “the most terrifying minutes of his life.” He expressed his disbelief that such an event could happen to him, especially as he had an unblemished driving record after 25 years of service.
Fortunately, although nearly all passengers experienced minor injuries, such as cuts and bruises, there were no fatalities. They received medical attention at both the Nausori Health Centre and the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva before being sent home. Mr. Krishna himself sustained injuries but was relieved that none of the passengers were seriously harmed.
As he was driving onto the bridge that morning, he noticed the bus being pulled to one side. In a quick attempt to regain control, he steered left, only to hear the terrifying sound of wood breaking and the bus starting to overturn. Some passengers were trapped under seats while others stayed frozen in fear. With the help of local villagers, the windscreen was smashed, allowing them to rescue the passengers one by one.
This incident serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of community support in times of crisis. Additionally, such unfortunate events often lead to increased safety measures and vigilance in public transport systems, ensuring that lessons are learned to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Overall, this story is a testament to resilience, both of the driver and the local community that came together to help in a time of need.
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