Three died, over thirty injured in crash at Faleula

By Ilia L Likou 27 January 2018, 12:00AM

A tragic accident at Faleula yesterday afternoon, where a speeding bus flipped several times landing on its roof, claimed three lives.  

This was confirmed by Police Superintendent and Media Spokesperson, Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo, in response to questions from the Sunday Samoan. 

“A total of 46 passengers were on the bus including the three people who died,” said Auapa’au.

“The bus driver and two elderly women unfortunately died as a result of the tragic incident." 

“Preliminary reports from the National Health Services accounted 46 passengers, from men, women and children who were at the hospital for medical treatment." 

Auapa’au declined to further comment noting Police investigation continues. 

At the hospital, there was a heavy presence of police, families and friends of the passengers. 

One of the survivors is a 17-year-old college student at A’ana Apolima. 

Tausaga Solifono spoke to the Sunday Samoan on what had occurred.

“The bus was packed and I was sitting on a woman at the back of the bus,” Tausaga said. 

“My grandmother was sitting with another old lady right behind the bus driver, when we got on the bus she insisted to sit behind the driver,” said the emotional Tausaga. 

Tausaga’s grandmother was one of the deceased. 

She said: “While my heart is heavy with the passing of my grandmother, near death experience is nothing I would want to wish on anyone.” 

Tausaga claims “the bus driver was trying to play a song on his cell phone that is connected to the stereo on the bus. 

“And his attention was distracted that he ran into a red car and that’s when the bus flipped several times. 

“I don’t recall how many times the bus flipped because I was in shock and screaming at the same time.

“I saw the whole incident and I don’t know how to move on from this whole ordeal. 

“I was stuck in the bus, with my head between my legs and grounded by the wooden chairs of the bus and I lost most of my hair when I was trying to move my head.  

“Luckily for me, the men next to me helped remove the wooden chair that held my head and they kicked out the back part of the bus and that was how we managed to leave the bus,” she told the Sunday Samoan. 

Videos of the tragic incident posted on social media saw the quick response by members of the public who provided aid to the injured passengers and covered up the deceased at the scene. 

The Sunday Samoan team arrived at the scene when the Police officers and tow trucks were about to remove the remains of the bus from the road. 

Auapa’au, on behalf of the Ministry of Police, expressed condolences to the mourning families. 

“To the motorists, please heed the traffic speed limit which is 35miles per hour,” he said.

By Ilia L Likou 27 January 2018, 12:00AM

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