A 45-year-old father from Leimatu’a, Vava’u, died after his truck crashed into trees in Vaipua, Neiafu on Tuesday afternoon.
Neiafu Town Officer Vava Lapota reported that the incident happened during roadworks by the Ministry of Infrastructure (MOI) between Taoa and Tefisi villages.
The victim was driving an MOI heavy truck, transporting rocks for road construction. While returning for another load, he lost control of the vehicle.
The accident site close to Taoa is a hilly area where trucks navigate steep inclines. Lapota noted that a similar accident occurred three years ago at the same spot, resulting in a fatality when a truck failed to climb the hill, reversed, and overturned.
This recent incident marks the second death at this location.
The victim’s truck lost control, first colliding with a nearby residential home before crashing into adjacent bushes. Emergency services responded promptly, but a hospital report confirmed that the victim died on the spot.
He is survived by his wife and five children.
