Thirteen students were treated at Vunidawa Hospital following a vehicle accident in Navuniyasi, Naitasiri, yesterday morning. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Livai Driu, the driver of the carrier allegedly lost control, causing the vehicle to swerve off the road.
Details about the incident remain limited as police are currently investigating. It was reported that the students were en route to their annual examinations at the time of the accident. In a tragic turn of events, a cow was also reportedly killed when the carrier veered off course.
The Ministry of Education had not provided any comments by yesterday evening; however, this incident has sparked concerns over the safety of school children, particularly those in rural and maritime regions, where traveling by carriers to school is common.
This incident echoes a similar one from July, when an RSL (rural service licence) carrier transporting 11 students from Adi Maopa Secondary School in Vanuabalavu, Lau, lost control and rolled down a hill near Daliconi Village, resulting in six students needing treatment at Lomaloma Hospital.
The recurring nature of these accidents highlights a significant issue regarding the transportation safety of students in rural areas. It is crucial for local authorities and the Ministry of Education to address this ongoing concern and promote safer transportation options for students.
While the situation is concerning, it also presents an opportunity for improvement in transportation protocols, which could lead to enhanced safety measures in the future, thereby ensuring that students can travel to school more securely.
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