A 51-year-old woman from Haveluloto, Tonga, died after a road accident on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.
The woman, who has not been identified, collapsed at the Talamahu Market and was rushed to the hospital by a 21-year-old driver from Lavengatonga. When they reached the intersection of Holomui e Pato and Taufa’ahau Roads in front of the Fifita House Building, Kolofo’ou, a car driven by a 20-year-old female failed to stop and crashed into the car that was rushing the woman to the hospital.
The impact damaged both vehicles, and the woman was pronounced dead at the hospital at around 09:30 am.
The medical doctor at Vaiola Hospital confirmed that the woman died due to an intracranial hemorrhage, secondary to very high blood pressure. He also confirmed that there was no external sign to indicate any major injuries from the road accident that she encountered while on their way.
Police are investigating the accident, but it is believed that the 20-year-old driver may have been distracted by her phone at the time of the crash.
This is the sixth road death in Tonga this year. Police are urging motorists to be vigilant and to pay attention to the road when driving.