17-year-old student passes away after getting trapped under a bus

A 17-year-old student has passed away as a result of injuries after he was trapped under a bus in Naila, Nausori yesterday.

Police say the student jumped out of the moving bus and got trapped under one of its tyres.

Chief Operations Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police Livai Driu says police officers are currently taking statements of students and other passengers concerned.

He says the bus driver is in police custody as investigations continue.

ACP Driu says while the incident is regrettable, he is calling on bus drivers to ensure the safety of their passengers.

He says drivers have the authority to remove excessive passengers if the bus has exceeded its capacity or if they are behaving in a disorderly manner.

ACP Driu says safety of the passengers inside the bus depends on its drivers and he is calling on all bus drivers to consider the safety of their passengers first before leaving for their designated route.

He adds police on their daily operations usually check buses for safety issues.

ACP Driu says safety also depends on each passenger, especially school students.

He says they are also calling on school students to respect the bus drivers and practice safety while travelling on the bus.

ACP Driu says bus drivers have that huge responsibility while driving and things will only get worse for them if students or other passengers act in a manner which compromises everyone else’s safety.