Eleven students of Adi Maopa Secondary School in Vanuabalavu, Lau, involved in a serious accident near Daliconi Village last Monday were transported to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital last week for further medical examinations.
One of the students was still admitted in hospital after an iron rod pierced her leg.
Ministry of Education permanent secretary Selina Kuruleca said every effort was made to ensure the students received proper medical care.
“They had been cleared by the Sub Divisional Medical Officer (SDMO) in Lomolomo Hospital, but we thought because the parents were calling the Ministry of Education concerned that maybe they’ll need full X-rays,” Ms Kuruleca said.
“There are no X-ray machines in Lomolomo. So, the Ministry of Health facilitated their medical evacuation.
“They were all X-rayed this morning (yesterday), only one student who arrived on Friday has been admitted from an injury sustained during the accident.”
Ms Kuruleca acknowledged the Ministry of Health for helping transfer the students to Viti Levu.
She said to ensure the children were not missing out on school, the Ministry of Education was working with the Suva Office for the children to have access to school notes.
“We have students from Year 9 to Year 13 who were on that Rural Service Licensed (RSL) carrier that overturned. They were from four or five villages.
“We are working on this so that they don’t miss out on learning and teaching in the various subject areas.”
Following their review, the students recalled the harrowing ordeal.
School headboy, Tevita Sokiveta, said he was one of those lucky students to escape without serious injuries.
“When the carrier tumbled down the hill, the students who were sitting near the front had fallen on top of me which injured my leg,” he said.
“We arrived in Suva on Friday and today (yesterday) we will have our review to see whether or not we are fit to return to school.”
He said because of the incident, the students had missed out on their midyear examinations.
He said one of the students had sustained injuries to her neck and was brought to Suva last Tuesday to be treated.
Year 12 student, Lusiana Leba received surgery last Wednesday after a piece of iron injured her leg.
Her mother Makereta Pareti said she thought the worst when a relative informed her of the accident.
“I thought she passed on, but when I reached the hospital, I heard her screaming in pain and I rushed past the doctors to see her,” said Ms Pareti.
“At the moment she is having difficulty walking, but she is eating well.
“I just thank the Lord that she was lucky to survive such a terrible event.”
She said the students and parents would return home once the children had been reviewed.
The Ministry of Education is also awaiting a police report on the incident.