13 Students Rushed to Hospital

Thirteen students received treatment at the Vunidawa Hospital following an accident at Navuniyasi, Naitasiri, yesterday morning.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations (ACP) Livai Driu said the driver of the carrier had allegedly lost control, causing the vehicle to veer-off the road, resulting in the accident.

While information was scarce yesterday, Police are conducting an investigation into the alleged accident. It involved some students who were on their way to sit for their annual examination.

A cow was believed to be killed when the carrier veered-off the road.

The Ministry of Education could not be reached for a comment yesterday, but the accident raised concerns on the safety of school children, especially those in rural areas and maritime islands, who travel by carriers to school daily.

In July, a rural service licence (RSL) carrier transporting 11 students from Adi Maopa Secondary School in Vanuabalavu, Lau, met a similar accident when it lost control and tumbled down a hill near Daliconi Village.

Six students were treated for injuries at the Lomaloma Hospital.

Feedback: jone.salusalu@fijisun.com.fj