Passenger tells of bus crash horror

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 26 May 2017, 12:00AM

Passengers have told of their frantic fight for survival after a bus with more than 30 people on board veered off the road, crashing in the sea at Leauva’a.

Numerous passengers were hospitalised. Fortunately there were no casualties.

Police Spokesperson, Su’a LeMamea Tiumalu, told the Samoa Observer no one has been arrested yet as investigations are continuing. Fire fighters, Emergency Medical Services, Red Cross and Police Officers were called to Leauva’a yesterday to help.

 “Even the bus driver has been admitted at the hospital. He suffered some injuries,” said Su’a. 

The Spokesperson was unaware how many passengers were on the bus.

The bus was transporting residents of Satapuala and from other villages to Apia. The bus was overloaded, said Sonya Airbase, who was on the bus when it crashed. 

 “I feared for my life,” she wept. She was one of the three passengers who were at the scene when the Samoa Observer arrived. 

Trying to contain her emotions, the 18-year-old University student was on her way to school. She said when the bus kept swerving, she knew something would happen.

Moments before the bus crashed, she thought that was it.... she was going to die. 

“That’s what I felt, I prayed repeatedly, to our heavenly father to save everyone, not just me. 

“When the bus crashed and I was sitting on the right side which went up into the air, we all fell to the left. 

“We piled up on one another and the view was overwhelming. 

“Seeing everyone piling up is like what I saw in the movies. But never in my life, I anticipated this would happen to me.... at this age. I’m still too young to die.”

There were passengers sitting on one another.

Pressing her chest with her fingers and trying not to cry, Ms. Airbase told of how they struggled to get out of the bus. 

“The side of the bus driver went directly down to the sea level.” 

The young woman said that they had to climb over through to the right side and “we had to jump from about seven feet high.

“Those who are severely injured were unable to climb and they were told to stay put. 

“Four college students suffered broken legs and broken arms, most of them had lacerations on their heads.... I am still feeling joint pain on my knees, but I’m ok.” 

She told the Samoa Observer that bystanders assisted and took injured passengers for treatment, aside from those taken in the Emergency vehicles. 

Ms Airbase was accompanied by a female Pesega College students whose younger sister was taken to the hospital. 

This student was still trying to come to terms with what had happened.

“I don’t think I will ever come to school on a bus. This was scary and while I’m alright.... my younger sister who is only 11 years old suffered a broken leg.” 

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 26 May 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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