Six students from Adi Maopa Secondary School on Vanuabalavu Island in Lau were treated at Lomaloma Hospital following a road accident on Monday afternoon, with one student airlifted to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva.
The injuries occurred when the three-ton truck they were traveling 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 injured students, 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.
Mr. Mateyawa recounted that he was fishing when he got a phone call about the accident and 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,” he said.
Students sitting with the driver reported hearing a snap from the engine compartment as the vehicle descended. The driver tried to control the truck by changing gears but couldn’t 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 explained. “We are thankful the driver was steadfast in his decision or else they would have been lost.”
A Biosecurity Authority of Fiji officer, along with some villagers who had stopped at a nearby shop, were among the first to respond to the scene. One villager, who wished to remain anonymous, described how a frightened student ran from the scene seeking help.
“Usually, students are home before 4 pm, but due to transportation shortages, they arrive home after 5 pm,” the villager added.
Investigations into the accident are currently underway.