A tragic incident has claimed the life of a 13-year-old student, marking the latest road fatality in the country. According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mitieli Divuana, the unfortunate event occurred yesterday afternoon when the victim was a passenger in a vehicle along the Princess Road in Tacirua. The vehicle, containing four other occupants, was reportedly struck by a truck driven by a 21-year-old man, who allegedly lost control and veered into the opposite lane.
All individuals involved in the incident were promptly taken to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, where the young victim was sadly pronounced dead upon arrival. SSP Divuana highlighted that this incident is a part of a worrying trend, with two additional serious accidents recorded yesterday: one on Mead Road and another on Daniva Road. In the Mead Road incident, the driver of a vehicle reportedly lost control and collided with a car driven by a 52-year-old man, resulting in the driver being admitted to the hospital. Meanwhile, on Daniva Road, an 8-year-old student was struck by a vehicle driven by a 39-year-old man when the child allegedly crossed the road unexpectedly. The child is currently receiving treatment at the CWM Hospital.
In light of these alarming incidents, SSP Divuana emphasized the importance of road safety amid the current weather conditions and cautions issued by the Fiji Meteorological Office. He urged both drivers and pedestrians to adhere to safety measures to prevent further accidents.
The national road death toll now stands at 54, a slight decrease from 73 during the same period last year, indicating the ongoing need for reinforced safety efforts on the roads.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for greater vigilance among drivers and pedestrians alike. It highlights the community’s collective responsibility to protect the most vulnerable, especially children, ensuring that such devastating incidents do not occur again.
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