By Mary Lyn Fonua
Four Tongan seasonal workers who were badly injured in a bus crash, after arriving in New Zealand early on Sunday, remain in hospital tonight.
Twelve of the 32 workers on the bus were treated for injuries, and eight were discharged.
Many of the men came from Foa in Ha’apai.
Two were transported by helicopter from the crash location to Waikato Hospital, in Hamilton this morning, 3 November. Sipiliano Filo was in a serious condition and ‘Aisea Taumoeanga in a moderate condition. Both are from Foa.
Two other injured men, Hausia Maumau from Houma, Tongatapu, and Tupou Latu from Foa were admitted to Rotorua Hospital.
The Liaison Officer for Tongan RSE workers in northern New Zealand, Sefita Hao'uli, told Matangi Tonga that the men were among 32 Tongan workers on the bus, provided by their employer, Mr Apple, to pick them up at Auckland International Airport for travel overnight to Hawke’s Bay.
“It is normal for the employer to provide the bus and not unusual when the flight arrives late,” he said.
The accident happened at about 7:30am on a remote stretch of road between Rotorua and Taupō, when most of the men were asleep and not alert at the time.
“One was awake and raised the alarm that the bus was about to roll,” he said. This was the group leader, Langi Fatanitavake.
The bus rolled on its side and slid along the road, but did not go off the road.
He said that men were injured by the broken glass and severe scraping of the skin. Some had facial injuries and one had suffered a fractured shoulder.
Sefita said as soon as he heard about the accident he drove over from Auckland to Waikato to visit the patients today, and had seen the medical assessment. He expected that the patients who remained in hospital would undergo further examinations on Monday, but if there were no further complications they might be out of hospital in a couple of days.
“ ‘Aisea was able to sit up and have a chat and talk. Luckily, they have got close family in Hamilton who able to meet them, and I am from Foa, and it turned out to be a Foa gathering. The physician who helped with enquiries is also Tongan and there is Tongan social worker here at Waikato.”
He said the Tonga Liaison worker from Hastings, Tevita Niu Lata, had also come with support from Mr Apple to make sure the patients could contact their families in Tonga.
Investigation
Sefita believed the accident was a close call and the outcome could have been a lot worse.
“Very lucky the bus didn’t roll off the road because on the way down, there are some very deep ravines, but in this case it was just a very flat road.”
He said during their medical recovery, under this scheme, the injured men could expect to get a percentage of what they would have earned per week. “All guys are fully insured for events like this and in New Zealand injuries are covered by ACC.”
He said the cause of the accident was not determined, at this stage.
“New Zealand Transport and Police will make inquiries, so that’s why we can’t speculate on what the cause will be. We have to hear what the report will say,” he said.
The police serious crash unit completed a scene examination, TVNZ’s 1News reported earlier today. St John had responded to the crash with four ambulances, two helicopters and a rapid response unit. It also sent a manager, four clinical support units, and a major incident support team. St John reported that five patients in a minor condition were transported to Taupō Hospital. Three patients in a moderate condition, one patient in a minor condition, and one patient in a serious condition were transported to Rotorua Hospital. While, one patient in a moderate condition and one patient in a serious condition were airlifted to Waikato Hospital.
