Man dies in ‘Eua truck accident [1]
Tuesday, November 3, 2015 - 17:48
Tonga Police today confirmed that a man from Sapa’ata had died after being crushed by a truck full of sand in an accident at Ha’aluma Beach in ‘Eua on 22 October.
Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Salote Tonga said the accident took place at around 3:00pm when the victim, Fononga Simi, who was one of the passengers, is alleged to have fallen off the truck as it was trying to make its way up a steep road from the beach.
She said the victim and more than 10 other men had gone to collect sand, which was allowed to be done on this beach. This was their second load of sand when the truck went up the steep road it got stuck and the driver had tried to reverse back.
Allegedly some of the boys who were at the back jumped off fearing the truck would overturn. The driver is alleged to have not known that the victim had fallen off the truck.
The victim was confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital, she said.
Police in 'Eua had arrested the 45-year-old male driver.