Amputee tells of accident horror
Taniela Nakitu, who had his leg amputated few years ago, yesterday shared his story of surviving a fatal road accident which claimed one life and left 20 people injured in Natadola, near Sigatoka, on Friday night. Mr Nakitu, 55, of Naiduri Village, in Nadroga, was among passengers in the van when the incident happened.
The road accident claimed the life of 50-year-old Joeli Bilo, who was in the other vehicle, a car.
The injured included nine children and 11 adults. Out of the 20, 13 are in critical condition at the Lautoka Hospital while seven have been discharged.
“We were on our way back from a school soccer tournament in Lomawai when the van we were in hit another vehicle,’’ Mr Nakitu said.
“As a result the driver of that vehicle died while the others were admitted at Lautoka Hospital in critical condition.
“I was unconscious until they took me to Sigatoka Hospital when the nurses told me I was involved in a road accident. I couldn’t believe it because it happened so fast.”
Mr Nakitu said that he was treated with minor injuries and released from hospital the same night. “My leg was amputated few years ago and I was not ready to get another cut off. I thank God for saving my life,” he said.
Mr Nakitu said the news has come as a shock to the villagers after the 13 passengers were admitted in critical condition at Lautoka Hospital.
Of the 11 adults, two have been discharged while five of the nine children have been sent home after treatment.