By Katalina Siasau

Two road deaths in two car accidents on Tongatapu last week, are the first road deaths reported in Tonga for 2024. A passenger died when a car crashed at Malapo, and a driver died when his van crashed into a pole at Tatakamotonga.

Deputy Police Commissioner, Tevita Vailea, said that Tonga Police received the first report of a death on Saturday morning, 8 June, after one of three passengers involved in a car accident passed away at Vaiola Hospital from serious injuries.

He said the incident occurred at Malapo on Thursday, 6 June at about 7:30 am. A 28 year old male from Lavengatonga drove a car with three passengers, and when he tried to overtake two vehicles, he crashed into a coconut tree, before the car flipped, causing serious injuries to the passengers. 

"It was understood that they were taken to the hospital. On Saturday morning, we got the report that one of the passengers had passed away."

The 28 year old male is charged with reckless driving causing death.

Tatakamotonga

There was a second report of a road death on Sunday.

Dep. Commissioner Vailea said Police received a report from Vaiola Hospital on Sunday, 9 June, of the second death following a road accident on Tuesday, 4 June, on Taufa’ahau Road. A 28 year old male from Tatakamotonga was driving a van, when he tried to overtake a bus. The van spun out of control and crashed into an electric power pole.

The hospital reported to Police that the 28 year old had passed away on Sunday.

Dep. Commissioner Vailea said the investigation for both incidents was still ongoing.