Locomotive accident claims a life in Tavua
Wednesday 07 August 2024 | 23:30
“The fall was about five metres. Both the men were trapped inside the locomotive. Officers from the Tavua Police and the Fire Station retrieved the two trapped men.”
A 55-year-old man died and a 44-year-old man was hospitalised with serious injuries following a locomotive accident in Lausa, Tavua, around noon yesterday.
The injured man is now admitted at the Aspen Medical Lautoka Hospital.
The men, employees of the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC), were carting sugarcane to the Rarawai Mill in Ba when the accident happened.
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Eyewitnesses claimed the locomotive derailed off the Lausa FSC Train lane bridge.
Divisional Police Commander Western (DPC/W), Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Iakabo Vaisewa said while approaching the bridge, the locomotive tumbled towards the left side and fell into a dry creek with a few cane carts.
“The fall was about five metres. Both the men were trapped inside the locomotive. Officers from the Tavua Police and the Fire Station retrieved the two trapped men.”
Iakabo Vaisewa (Senior Superintendent of Police)
SSP Vaisewa said a police investigation was underway.
National Fire Authority chief fire officer Qionilau Moceitai said: “It took 18 of our officers to conduct the rescue operation.
“They used the block and tackle method (using pulleys and ropes) and the FSC employees used welding gas apparatus to cut steel to free the victims because the crane could not access the area.”
An eyewitness claimed that the locomotive was transporting sugarcane when a wheel reportedly came off the axle, causing the accident.
Lausa advisory councilor Jai Kissun claimed the accident happened about noon and at 3pm rescue workers managed to free the victims.
When contacted last night for a comment, FSC chief executive officer Bhan Pratap Singh declined to comment on the accident.
Accident site at Lausa, Tavua on August 7, 2024.
Photo: Salote Qalubau
