By Plimun Web Design
Apia, Samoa
26° MCloudy Humidity: 94%
A man in his late 20s died when he drove off the Papapapaitai fall at Tiavi on Thursday night. The vehicle flew off the barriers on the side of the road and plummeted about 500 feet.
Police are treating the incident as a suicide attempt.
The man is Brad Bachelor, originally from Eugene in Oregon, United States of America.
His mother Carol Bachelor told the Weekend Observer yesterday that the police were at their residence to talk about what happened.
She was too upset to discuss the details of what happened.
On Thursday night, Members of the Fire and Emergency Service Authority (FESA) attempted first aid on Mr Bachelor- who was found about 300 meters down the cliff.
They could resuscitate him.
Assistant Commissioner, Fa’afouina Mupo described the death as a real tragedy.
“From what we’ve seen, it appears as if the car was on the main road and then it turned to where the fall is,” he said.
“It drove through the barriers that were there and it was speeding because if it was travelling at a slow speed, it wouldn’t have flown over the trees that were there.”
The Assistant Commissioner said it took the rescue team about six hours before they could find the body.
“We suspect that the death is a case of suicide,” he said.
It was not possible to get a comment from the Police at press time last night.
But Fa’afouina said the rescue operation was complicated.
“The men had to tie ropes around them to go down the fall,” he said. “It was nighttime and it was quite slippery as it had been raining.
“The workers were there throughout the whole night around 11pm and they finally found the body while the car is all the way down where the river is.
“A basket was used to bring his body to the top.”
Faafouinasaid that if the man wore his seatbelt, he would’ve been found inside the car.
“It is possible that he hopped out of the car while it was rolling,” he said.
The Assistant Commissioner said it was not possible to identify what kind of car the deceased was driving.
Two police vehicles were at the scene yesterday when the Weekend Observer arrived.
A policeman said three other officers were down at the fall as part of their investigation.
Comments
God bless
When I was with them the love was so obvious and the family was close.
This loss is huge... but the Lord's love and mercy is far greater.
My prayer is that this tragedy will launch new efforts to assist those in FLO who are doing all they can to rebuild the foundation to help put an end to suicide in Samoa.
My love and prayers reach over the oceans to Jack and Carol... and to all those who know and love him.
God bless you during this most heartbreaking time. I truly understand your loss and can assure you... in time, all things will work together for the good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose... YES, even this!
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