Six students from Adi Maopa Secondary School on Vanuabalavu Island in Lau received medical attention at Lomaloma Hospital, with one student being airlifted to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva following a road accident on Monday afternoon.
The injuries occurred when a three-ton truck they were in veered off the road and tumbled near a hill at Delaivaturua Point, close to Daliconi Village.
Tari Mateyawa, the father of one of the victims, expressed relief that his 13-year-old daughter is recovering and in stable condition.
“I am thankful to God that no lives were lost despite the serious injuries the students suffered,” Mr. Mateyawa said.
“I was out fishing when I received a phone call informing me of the accident, so I rushed home. It was supposed to be the last school drop-off at our village in Daliconi. I believe one of the students was seriously injured and was rushed to CWM Hospital in Suva.”
Mr. Mateyawa shared that students sitting with the driver reported hearing a snap from the engine compartment as the vehicle went downhill. The driver tried to control the truck by changing gears but was unable to stop it.
“Luckily, the driver steered the truck towards a small ditch to stop it. If not, it would have headed straight for the sea,” Mr. Mateyawa added.
“We are thankful the driver was steadfast in his decision or else they would have been lost.”
One of the first responders to the scene was an officer from the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji, along with some villagers who had stopped at a shop near Daliconi Village.
One of the villagers, who preferred to remain anonymous, described how one of the students ran from the scene seeking help.
“He looked so frightened and lost. We asked him what happened, and that’s when he told us about the accident.”
A major challenge on Vanuabalavu Island is transportation, with only one truck servicing all school runs in the area.
“Usually, students are home before 4pm, but due to transportation shortages, they arrive home after 5pm.”
Investigations into the accident are currently underway.
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