Grab-and-run teen hit by vehicle, assaulted bus driver in hospital

Korovuto Village in Nadi is under the spotlight for the wrong reason. This is after a group of youths assaulted a driver who allegedly mowed a 17-year-old student after a grab and run incident.

The student is alleged to have stolen a cell phone which belonged to a Classic Buses Limited driver who was dropping off a resort staff.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed the incident happened along the Queens Road at Korovuto in Nadi after 12midnight.

“The suspect, after he allegedly grabbed the victim’s phone from inside his vehicle, ran onto the road and was hit by an oncoming vehicle,” Ms Naisoro said. An eye witness who spoke on the basis of anonymity said; “The youths who were on the bus bay, instead of rendering help to the boy, they all attacked the driver of the vehicle. The windscreen was shattered and then they pounced on the driver.”

She claimed neighbours stood and watched without helping the victims. The 17-year-old boy was rushed to the Nadi Hospital by his uncle while the injured driver was taken to the Nadi Hospital by Police. Classic Buses Limited director operations Adnan Mohammed confirmed that their vehicle was involved in the incident.

“Sadly, our driver who was driving the vehicle was assaulted after the accident and the vehicle also sustained heavy damage,” he said.

Korovuto Village headman Vereimi Tagi confirmed the incident saying he would investigate.

Ms Naisoro said the 17-year-old boy and the driver suffered injuries and were recovering at the Nadi Hospital. Investigations are underway.