A 16-year-old boy has died and two other people left injured when a mini-bus swerved off the road, after colliding with another car at an intersection in Kolomotu'a, and hit three people who were enjoying a barbecue at a home, last Friday evening, October 12.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Soakai Motu'apuaka said today, that Tausinga Palavu died at Vaiola Hospital on Saturday, October 13.

He said the other two people injured were Mele Palavu and Melenaite Tatu of Kolomotu'a. The trio were having a barbecue outside the front of a home belonging to Sunia Vaka'uta, when the accident happened.

The collision occurred near the intersection on Sipu Road. A car driven by a 29-year-old woman from Te'ekiu was going south on Sipu Road and a mini bus owned by the Wellington Taxis came from a westerly direction. After the collision the van swerved and allegedly hit Tausinga, trapping him underneath the vehicle, and causing injuries to the other two people, he said.

It is understood this is the fifth road death so far for the year. The last road death took place last week in Kameli, Vava'u.