Thirteen students were treated at Vunidawa Hospital following an accident that occurred yesterday morning in Navuniyasi, Naitasiri. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Livai Driu, the driver of a carrier lost control, leading the vehicle to veer off the road, which resulted in the incident. The students were reportedly en route to their annual examinations when the accident took place.
Although details were limited yesterday, a police investigation is underway regarding the incident. Tragically, a cow was believed to have been killed in the accident as well. The Ministry of Education was unavailable for a comment at the time, but the incident has raised important concerns regarding the safety of school children, particularly those in rural areas and on maritime islands who rely on carriers for transportation to school.
This incident echoes a similar tragic event from July, where an RSL carrier carrying 11 students from Adi Maopa Secondary School in Vanuabalavu, Lau, lost control and went tumbling down a hill near Daliconi Village. Six students in that accident required medical treatment at Lomaloma Hospital.
While these incidents highlight significant safety concerns, they also open the door for discussions on improving safety measures for student transportation. Community leaders and the government may need to come together to ensure that all children can travel to school safely, especially in rural terrains where such accidents are more likely to occur.
Overall, this unfortunate occurrence serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilant transportation practices for young students, and it offers a chance for communities to advocate for necessary changes that could prevent future accidents.
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