Motorists To Be Cautious While Driving

The National Fire Authority (NFA) has noted an increase in calls for road accident rescue because motorists had ignored road safety rules.

NFA chief executive officer, Puamau Sowane said five members on-duty crew responded to an accident at Waisali Hill near Savusavu on Wednesday.

A 12-wheeler cargo truck veered off road and plunged about 200 metres down a steep slope.

The firefighters found and rescued the driver trapped inside the truck.

The crew managed to extricate the driver, who sustained bruises on his face with suspected internal injuries.

In windy circumstances, the Savusavu Fire Station rescue crew hauled the driver 200 metres up a steep slope after stabilising him with a neck brace and stretcher.

According to preliminary findings, a mechanical malfunction was the most likely reason for the crash.

Mr Sowane urged drivers to make sure their cars were in proper operating order before hitting the road. This will protect pedestrians and other road users.

“This could mean the difference between life and death,” Mr Sowane said.

The motorist in this incident was fortunate that firefighters were in time and given their specialised technical training, were able to extricate him alive and taken to hospital for treatment.

Increase in Road Accidents

Mr Sowane said they had noted an increase in receiving calls for rescue.

“Our firefighters are increasingly receiving these calls because people continue to ignore road safety rules,” he said.

“Just 10 days ago, our teams in Nadi and Lautoka responded to rescue calls where a driver died immediately at the scene at Waimalika, Nadi.”

“Another road accident victim, a pregnant teenager, died in hospital the next day. This trend will continue if people do not exercise caution.”

Mr Sowane said following road rules must be everyone’s responsibility.

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