A tragic locomotive accident occurred yesterday in Lausa, Tavua, resulting in the death of a 55-year-old man and serious injuries to a 44-year-old man, who is currently receiving treatment at Aspen Medical Lautoka Hospital.
The victims, both employees of the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC), were transporting sugarcane to the Rarawai Mill in Ba when the locomotive derailed from the Lausa FSC Train lane bridge. Eyewitnesses reported that the locomotive fell to the left side into a dry creek, along with several cane carts, from a height of about five meters.
Senior Superintendent of Police Iakabo Vaisewa confirmed that both men were trapped inside the locomotive, and rescue teams from Tavua Police and the Fire Station worked to free them.
According to the National Fire Authority chief fire officer Qionilau Moceitai, the rescue operation involved 18 firefighters who used a block and tackle method, along with welding gas apparatus supplied by FSC workers, to cut the steel and extricate the victims, as a crane was unable to reach the site.
An eyewitness suggested that a wheel came off the axle of the locomotive during the transport of sugarcane, leading to the incident. Local advisory councilor Jai Kissun noted that the accident took place around noon, with rescue efforts concluding by 3 PM.
FSC chief executive officer Bhan Pratap Singh has not provided any comments regarding the accident.