Trucks Collide, Drivers Hospitalised

Police are investigating allegations that a truck driver fell asleep at the wheel, which may have caused a head-on collision between two vehicles in Nasarawaqa, Bua, yesterday.

Divisional Police Commander (DPC) North Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kemueli Baledrokadroka said the alleged incident happened before 7am.

“The driver of the Ashok Transport Limited left Nabouwalu Jetty and was heading towards Labasa while the driver of the SK Logistics Pte Limited, with a passenger, was heading towards Nabouwalu,” he said.

SSP Baledrokadroka said the drivers and the passenger were injured and taken to the Lekutu Health Centre in Bua immediately.

“The passenger was treated and released by the afternoon, but the drivers were transferred to Labasa Hospital since they sustained serious injuries,” he said.

“On the allegation surrounding that the driver slept, we cannot say now as investigation has begun.”

SK Logistics Pte Limited director Satendra Kumar claimed that his driver reported attempting to avoid a collision with an oncoming truck. In the process of swerving to evade the truck, the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle, which subsequently veered off the road and ended up in a roadside drain.

“Unfortunately, we incurred about $100,000 loss as our driver was on the way to deliver some goods for our client and the vehicle has been written-off,” Mr Kumar said.

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