One death from yesterday’s Malifa bus accident

By Lagi Keresoma

Apia, Samoa – 03 October 2023: The Deputy Police Commissioner, Papalii Monalisa Keti has confirmed the death of one of the four seriously injured passengers in yesterday’s bus accident at Malifa.

“I confirm that a 66 year old man, one of the passengers who was in a critical condition passed away last night,” she said.

She did not disclose the deceased’s name.

She said of the three remaining in hospital, one is still in a serious condition while the other two are recovering slowly.

A video of the accident circulated on social media captured the deceased lying face down on the ground besides other injured passengers.
The accident happened during the busy morning traffic at one of the busiest streets in Apia and Papalii said while the official accident report has not been finalised, it is suspected that faulty brakes and speeding contributed to the accident.

Of the 31 people injured, 27 were treated at the national hospital for minor injuries and released and four were admitted with serious injuries. Among the four passengers is a police woman.

The involvement of more wooden framed buses used for public transport in serious road accidents have raised questions about the process the warrant of fitness are issued and the safety of these buses for public transport.

Broken into several pieces, this latest accident again raises more questions about how warrant of fitness are issued and the safety of wooden framed buses for public transport.