Pacific / Samoa

Driver charged over Samoa bus crash

08:08 am on 27 June 2019

The driver of a bus that crashed in Auala Savaii in Samoa two weeks ago injuring more than 50 passengers, mostly college students has been charged with careless driving causing injury.

Photo: RNZI/ Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

Talamua Online named the defendant as Liutagata Uesile of Foaluga Village.

Police said speed was the suspected cause of the accident.

They said the bus was allegedly carrying 64 passengers, double the legal limit and was coming downhill at Auala village when it crashed at a bend while overtaking another vehicle.

The District Hospital in Sataua did not have enough beds for all the injured and photos posted on social media following the accident showed more than one patient to a bed.

In the wake of the accident, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi suggested the idea of introducing life sentences for bus drivers who cause death or injury to passengers.