A 19-year-old woman who fell from the back of a van at Lapaha, was the first road death reported for 2014, and one of four accidental deaths in Tonga last week. Tonga

Police also confirmed that two young girls had died in Tongatapu one from drowning and one from serious injuries, while a diver in Ha'apai had died from decompression.

Road-death

A 19-year-old woman died on Saturday, January 25, after she allegedly fell from a van in Lapaha.

Police stated that she was sitting at the back of the van with her two sisters and mother. The driver her 53-year-old father had allegedly swerved to the side from hitting piglets that suddenly crossed the road causing her to fall out. She died from severe head injuries before reaching Vaiola Hospital, doctors confirmed. The driver who has been arrested remains in police custody.

Children

Police reported that the six-year-old girl from Folaha drowned on Thursday, January 23 while swimming in Nukuhetulu on Tongatapu.

The child was swimming with other children who were floating on a piece off a refrigerator door. The other children got off but the victim who was still floating on the door was reported to have been taken into the deep by a strong current. The other children could not get to her so they ran for help and a search was immediately executed and her body was found later near 'Anana, police stated.

On the same day, a three-year-old girl died after an old tin shelter at her home collapsed on her in Tatakamotonga. She died on the spot from the serious injuries sustained. The tin shelter was used by the family for washing and other chores.

Decompression death

A 46-year-old man in Fonoi, Ha'apai, died from decompression after diving for fish on Saturday, January 25.

The victim was accompanied by other divers on the trip. It was reported after his dive he came up and got into the boat with his catch and told the others they should return to land. As he sat there he died, according to Ha'apai Police.

The doctor in Nomuka confirmed he died from decompression as he was under water for too long using the gas cylinder.

A Police investigation continues into the incident.