Eleven students from Adi Maopa Secondary School in Vanuabalavu, Lau, were involved in a serious accident near Daliconi Village last Monday and have been transported to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital for further medical examinations.
One student remains hospitalized after an iron rod pierced her leg.
The Ministry of Education’s permanent secretary, Selina Kuruleca, stated that extensive efforts were made to ensure the students received appropriate medical care.
“They had been cleared by the Sub-Divisional Medical Officer (SDMO) at Lomolomo Hospital, but since parents were concerned, we decided they might need full X-rays,” Kuruleca said.
“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 from the accident.”
Kuruleca thanked the Ministry of Health for assisting in the transfer of the students to Viti Levu.
To ensure the children do not miss school, the Ministry of Education is collaborating with the Suva Office to provide them with access to school notes.
“We have students from Year 9 to Year 13 who were on that Rural Service Licensed (RSL) carrier that overturned. They come from four or five different villages. We are working to ensure they do not miss out on learning and teaching in their various subjects.”
Following their review, the students recounted the terrifying incident.
The school’s headboy, Tevita Sokiveta, said he was fortunate to escape without severe injuries.
“When the carrier tumbled down the hill, the students sitting near the front fell on top of me, injuring my leg,” he said. “We arrived in Suva on Friday, and today we will have our review to determine our fitness to return to school.”
Due to the incident, the students missed their midyear examinations. One student sustained a neck injury and was brought to Suva last Tuesday for treatment.
Year 12 student Lusiana Leba underwent surgery last Wednesday after an iron rod injured her leg.
Her mother, Makereta Pareti, feared the worst when she was informed about the accident by a relative.
“I thought she had passed on, but when I reached the hospital, I heard her screaming in pain and rushed past the doctors to see her,” Pareti said. “She is currently having difficulty walking but is eating well. I just thank the Lord that she survived such a terrible event.”
She added that students and parents would return home once the children’s reviews were completed.
The Ministry of Education is also awaiting a police report on the incident.