Miraculous Escape: 25 Survive Bus Plunge into River

On August 14, 1985, a tragic incident unfolded near Nausori Town when a bus carrying 25 passengers veered off the Kasavu Bridge and tumbled into a river. The 65-seater bus, operated by Sharma Buses Ltd, was on its routine journey from Baulevu to Suva when the accident occurred approximately seven kilometers away from Nausori.

Witnesses reported that as the planks on the left side of the bridge gave way, panic ensued among the passengers, many of whom were women and children. The bus driver, Bal Krishna, aged 40 and a veteran with 25 years of experience at the company, described the incident as a harrowing experience he had never encountered before. He expressed disbelief at the chain of events, stating, “It’s a miracle that none of the passengers were killed or seriously hurt.”

Most passengers sustained minor injuries, including cuts and bruises, and were promptly treated at local medical facilities. Krishna himself incurred cuts and bruises while trying to manage the chaos.

As he approached the bridge around 8:45 a.m., he felt an unsettling pull to the right. To counter it, he turned the vehicle left, only to hear the sound of breaking wood. Within moments, the bus began to overturn, causing screams and cries for help to fill the air. Some passengers found themselves trapped, while others struggled to move in the midst of fear.

Thanks to the swift actions of nearby villagers, they were able to reach the site quickly, breaking the bus’s windscreen to help free the stranded passengers.

This incident serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of community support in times of crisis. The fortunate outcome, where all 25 passengers escaped with non-life-threatening injuries, underscores the resilience of individuals and communities in the face of adversity.

In summary, while this incident was alarming, the outcome could have been much worse. It highlights the significance of safety measures, the bravery of first responders, and the strength that communities exhibit during emergencies.