Boy,10, injured in Nadi crash involving military vehicle

A 10-year-old boy is recovering at the Nadi Hospital after being after being hit by a government vehicle allegedly registered to the military and driven by military personnel.

Peni Nasova was about to cross along the Nadi back road around two o'clock on Monday afternoon with his father and mother when the incident happened.

Police are investigating the incident. Police spokesperson Seargent Wame Bautolu confirmed the incident happened at Kerebula Road along the Nadi back road.

Our source also confirmed that the license of the said driver has been seized by police.

Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander (RFMF) Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai said he was yet to be briefed on the incident when this masthead reached out to him.

“I can ensure you that we will deal with this swiftly and hand them over to Police for such criminal actions,” Major-General Kalouniwai said.

“I am very concerned and saddened by the physical and mental harm it is causing to the family and victim.”

Commander Joint Task Force Command Brigadier General Manoa Gadai confirmed the personnel and vehicle were not stationed at Blackrock Camp.

Reliable sources told this masthead that the driver and the two military personnel are based at the Duke of Edinburgh Barracks in Lautoka.

We have chosen not to publish their names. It is understood the military personnel were on their way to Suva to attend an officers’ military course.

Following the incident, the military personnel transported Peni to the hospital. He suffered bruises to his knees, elbow and head.

Incident

Peni’s father, Mitieli Vaidula, said they were heading towards Nawaka. The family, who live in Navosa, had travelled to spend Easter in Nawaka.

Peni attends Reverend Thomas Baker Memorial School. Mr Vaidula said they were about to cross the Nadi back road when the accident happened.

He also claims the driver was speeding.

“It was at a bend on Nadi back road. My son saw that the road was clear and ran across. The driver tried to hit the brakes but hit my son, and he went underneath the vehicle,” Mr Vaidula said.

“We were about to cross together, but my son crossed first. After the vehicle hit him, the driver stopped and remained inside, possibly in shock.

"He may have thought my son was seriously injured or dead. But Peni came out from underneath the vehicle, also in shock. I ran to him and took him to the roadside.

“After seeing that I had my son, the driver came out. There were two other passengers in the vehicle.”

Mr Vaidula said while he was consoling his son, a vehicle driven by a Nadi Hospital doctor arrived, and offered to take his son to hospital.

He said his son could have lost his life.

“I thank God he is alive. After an x-ray doctors said there were no serious injuries," Mr Vaidula said.

“The RFMF personnel apologised and said they were rushing to Suva. It was fortunate the front tyre did not run over him, which could have been serious.”