A New Zealand resident is calling for urgent action to improve public safety after he narrowly escaped death when he fell into an open manhole in Labasa last week.
Shalendra Ram, who travelled to Fiji to attend a seven-day Bhagavad Katha, said the incident happened outside Macuata House.
Mr Ram said he was walking to his hotel when the incident happened.
“As I was walking, I moved onto the grass to avoid being splashed by passing vehicles. This was when I fell into the manhole. There were no cones, barriers or warning signs,” he said.
His said his neck was level with the footpath when he stood at the bottom of the manhole.
“I called for help for a few minutes, but no one came. A couple eventually helped me out. I had reported the matter to the police and had medical records documenting my injuries.”
Mr Ram said his main concern was the likelihood of similar incidents happening to others.
“Imagine if it had been a pregnant woman, an elderly person or a child. Someone could have been seriously injured or even killed.”
He said the manhole remained uncovered and without warning signs for days after the incident.
Attempts to get a response from the Labasa Town Council remained futile when this edition went to print.
