Taitusi Tova was one of 10 men who left Waikete Village, Tailevu, early yesterday for a lawn maintenance job at the Fiji National University’s Namaka Campus in Nadi.
Just kilometres from their destination, they were involved in an accident at the Nawaka Junction.
Mr Tova suffered injuries after the side of the vehicle where he was sitting smashed into the back of a truck they were following. His legs were caught under the dashboard.
Anisi Tokomai, one of the passengers, said: “At 4am we left the village in a carrier. When we reach Wainadoi, we transited into this three tonne truck which transported us to Nadi.”
“We didn’t expect to encounter this accident, especially Taitusi. He has a family and has been working with us in this lawn mowing job at FNU to help support his family.”
He said the truck they were following suddenly stopped at a red light and their driver thought the truck would pass through because of the pace it was travelling at.
“When it stopped, our driver tried to turn the vehicle on the side to avoid hitting the truck, but it was too late,” he said.
“Two passengers were sitting in front with the driver. The one in the middle quickly folded his legs up on the seat while the other was late in doing so.”
He said Mr Tova was crying out in pain.
“Officers from the National Fire Authority and the Fiji Police arrived, and they were able to free him. He was taken to the hospital in an ambulance.”
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wame Bautolu said Police were conducting their investigation.
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