Eleven students from Adi Maopa Secondary School in Vanuabalavu, Lau, were involved in a serious accident near Daliconi Village last Monday and were subsequently transported to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital for further medical examinations.
One student remains hospitalized after an iron rod pierced her leg.
Selina Kuruleca, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Education, stated that efforts have been made to ensure the students received proper medical care.
“They had been cleared by the Sub Divisional Medical Officer (SDMO) in Lomolomo Hospital, but since parents were concerned, we decided they might need full X-rays,” said Ms. Kuruleca. “There are no X-ray machines in Lomolomo, so the Ministry of Health facilitated their medical evacuation. They were all X-rayed yesterday morning, and only one student, who arrived on Friday, has been admitted due to an injury sustained during the accident.”
Ms. Kuruleca expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health for assisting with the transfer of the students to Viti Levu.
To ensure the students do not miss out on school, the Ministry of Education is working with the Suva Office to provide school notes.
“We have students from Year 9 to Year 13 who were on that Rural Service Licensed (RSL) carrier that overturned. They hail from four or five villages. We are working to ensure they don’t miss out on learning and teaching in various subject areas,” she said.
Following their medical evaluations, the students recounted the traumatic event.
School headboy, Tevita Sokiveta, mentioned that he was fortunate to escape without serious injuries.
“When the carrier tumbled down the hill, the students who were sitting near the front fell on top of me, which injured my leg,” he said. “We arrived in Suva on Friday, and today we will have our review to determine whether we are fit to return to school.”
Sokiveta noted that the incident caused the students to miss their midyear examinations.
One student sustained neck injuries and was brought to Suva last Tuesday for treatment.
Year 12 student Lusiana Leba underwent surgery last Wednesday after a piece of iron injured her leg.
Her mother, Makereta Pareti, recounted her initial fear upon hearing about the accident.
“I thought the worst when a relative informed me of the accident. But when I reached the hospital, I heard her screaming in pain and rushed past the doctors to see her,” said Ms. Pareti. “At the moment, she is having difficulty walking, but she is eating well. I just thank the Lord that she survived such a terrible event.”
She added that the students and parents would return home once the children have been reviewed.
The Ministry of Education is also awaiting a police report on the incident.