Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed that illegal substances were found in the hybrid vehicle involved in a head on collision with a Pacific Transport bus at Barara Flats,Lautoka on Monday.

“A car traveling from Nadi towards Lautoka, veered onto the opposite lane and collided head on with a bus headed towards Nadi.

“The driver and three passengers of the bus were conveyed to Lautoka Hospital,” she said.

“Dried leaves believed to be marijuana as well as a small plastic of white crystals believed to be methamphetamine were found on the driver of the private vehicle.”

Ms Naisoro said the three passengers of the Pacific Transport bus remained admitted at the Lautoka Hospital. Police have yet to charge the driver of the hybrid vehicle.

Standard Concrete staff and eyewitness Inoke Rokoviti said he was returning from buying his lunch when he saw the scene of the accident, a short distance from his office.

“I saw that the accident had taken place, but many of the passengers were also standing around, that was between 1 to 2pm,” he said.

“I think it was just the driver of the other hybrid car that was injured, I did not see how the accident happened and I didn’t move too close but I just saw the driver being carried out of the vehicle.”

He said the Pacific Transport bus did not have many passengers.

“The bus driver was okay but the driver of the hybrid car had a female passenger in his vehicle. Both of them were injured and it was the passengers of the bus had helped take him and the woman out and they were taken to hospital,” he said.

Pacific Transport Lautoka manager Jaswant Kumar confirmed the driver of the bus did not sustain any injuries.

“Our driver was not hurt at all but three passengers received minor injuries,” he said.

“The bus was on its way to Nadi when this vehicle swerved onto the path of the bus. The radiator, gear box and wind screen for the bus were all damaged.”

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