Firefighters rescue driver trapped in truck near Waisali Settlement

National Fire Authority firefighters have assisted in the rescue of a driver who was trapped inside the cab of his truck 200 metres down a steep slope at Waisali Hill, near Waisali Settlement yesterday afternoon.

The Savusavu Fire Station received a call and responded immediately with the five-member on duty crew driving approximately 40 kilometers to the accident site.

The crew managed to get the driver out, who sustained bruises on his face with suspected internal injuries.

The Savusavu Fire Station rescue team stabilised him with a neck brace and stretcher and moved him 200 metres up the steep slope in windy conditions.

With assistance from the villagers, they managed to bring the driver to the main road where he was then handed over to medical personnel who transported him to the Savusavu Hospital.

Preliminary investigations found that the probable cause of the accident was a mechanical fault.

National Fire Authority Chief Executive Officer Puamau Sowane is calling on drivers and vehicle owners to ensure their vehicles are in good working condition before travelling because this ensures road safety for both the drivers and pedestrians.

Sowane says this could mean the difference between life and death.

He says the driver in this incident was very fortunate that the firefighters got there in time and given their specialised technical training, they were able to ensure he was extricated alive and taken to the hospital for treatment.

Sowane is urging drivers to always exercise caution on the roads.

He says firefighters are increasingly receiving Road Accident Rescue calls because people continue to ignore road rules.

The NFA CEO says just 10 days ago, their teams in Nadi and Lautoka responded to a RAR call where a driver died immediately at the scene at Waimalika, Nadi.

He says this trend will continue if people do not exercise caution.

Sowane says he wants to thank firefighters in Savusavu for their professionalism and putting their training to good use.

He adds members of the public can rest assured that if they are called out to an emergency, then they will do their very best to preserve lives and property.