Six students from Adi Maopa Secondary School on Vanuabalavu Island in Lau were treated at Lomaloma Hospital, with one airlifted to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva following a road accident on Monday afternoon.
The students were injured when the three-ton truck they were riding in went off the road and tumbled near a hill at Delaivaturua Point, near Daliconi Village.
Tari Mateyawa, 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,” said Mr. Mateyawa. “I was fishing when I got a call about 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.”
According to Mr. Mateyawa, students sitting with the driver reported hearing a snap from the engine compartment as the vehicle descended the hill. 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. Otherwise, it would have headed straight for the sea,” Mr. Mateyawa said. “We are thankful the driver was steadfast in his decision or else they would have been lost.”
A Biosecurity Authority of Fiji officer and some villagers were the first to respond to the scene. One villager, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted 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.”
One of the major challenges on Vanuabalavu Island is transportation, with only one truck servicing all school runs throughout 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.