Lakena Bus Accident: Dead Girl Acted As Shield For Boy, 7, Saving His Life
Father says son Edward was trapped underneath Makereta unaware that she was dead. She acted as a shield from falling debris in bus crash.
Thursday 10 October 2019 | 21:30
Peter and Ian Mataika with their mother, Asena Tutu, holding a picture of daughter Makereta Mataika. Photo: Kelera Sovasiga Insert: Makereta Mataika.
Seven-year-old Edward George was trapped underneath Makereta Mataika, unaware that she was dead.
He was perhaps the luckiest of the children who survived the bus crash at Lakena Hill on Wednesday afternoon.
Makereta acted as a shield from falling debris during the crash, which saved his life.
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Edward’s father, Navin Dutt, yesterday recounted the moments after the crash, as told to him by his brother, Ashneel Dutt.
Ashneel was among people who helped pull Edward from the wreckage.
Mr Dutt said: “Ashneel said Edward was the luckiest. He could have died too if Makereta wasn’t there.”
Makereta, 13, and Steven Clarence Naibuka, 10, died on the spot.
Makereta Mataika.
