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Samoa Headline News

TWO DEAD, TWO MISSING AFTER CAR WASHES AWAY

 

Two people are missing and two others have been confirmed dead in Samoa after the vehicle they were traveling in was swept down a flooded river that had destroyed part of the road.

 

The police say the family of seven did not realize the road at Ti'avea Aleipata had collapsed due to flooding.

 

They say the two people confirmed dead are the driver's three year old son and his male cousin who was 37.

 

The owner and driver of the vehicle, Iakopo Paiaaua Peteru, who is 33, his 22 year old brother and a 29 year old female relative have been admitted to Motootua Hospital and are in a stable condition.

 

Teams from Police Search and Rescue, Emergency services and villagers at Ti'avea Aleipata are searching for the driver's missing parents who are both over 60.

 

ROAD CLOSED AS FLOODING CONTINUES

 

A main road in the east of Upolu has been closed for repairs after sustaining damage from flooding.

 

Disaster Management officials say heavy rain has caused widespread flooding in low lying areas and all rivers across the country.

 

The assistant chief executive of the Disaster Management Office says the worst flooding is affecting the Vaisigano river in Apia and the Mali'oli'o and Lano rivers, both on Sava'ii.

 

Filomena Nelson says the most damage occurred on part of the main road to Aleipata in Ti'avea village, where a mini-van accident occurred early on Thursday, which left two dead and two missing.

 

"The road is now closed for several days until we get it fixed by a contractor. The Land Transport Authority has closed the road and they're going to have a contractor to have it fixed before it is open to the public."

 

Filomena Nelson says residents in Samoa are being advised to boil water before drinking and to avoid playing in the floodwaters.

 

FOUR IN SAMOA GET ARTIFICIAL LIMBS FROM THE U.S.

 

A group of doctors from Utah are on a mission in Samoa fitting artificial limbs, specially made to suit the Samoan environment, for four lucky patients in Savai’i.

 

The Samoa Observer reports the team belongs to a group called Utah Valley University’s (UVU) Mobility Mission that works around the world to create and provide high-quality, low-cost prosthetic care to individuals in need.

 

A certified Prosthetist, Dr. Lane Ferrin who came with the team, told the Samoa Observer they knew there was need for their help in Samoa.

 

The visit this week is the team’s first time in Samoa.

 

Patient, Iokapeta Pasia from Fatausi, told the Observer she was grateful when she was selected as one of hundreds of people in Samoa to have the opportunity of receiving an artificial limb.

 

“I was very happy when I was told of the chance to come here today,” she said.

 

The other patients treated during the mission are Esau Pau, a 66-year-old from Taga, Sagato Savelio 58 from Pu’apu’a and 11-year-old Fareti Toni, from Fogapoa.

 

SAMOA POLICE COMMISSIONERS REMAIN SUSPENDED

 

Samoa’s most senior police officers, Commissioner Lilomaiava Fou Taioalo and Assistant Commissioner, Sala Uili Lafaele remain suspended on full pay.

 

Although it has been several months since Cabinet suspended the duo, the officers are expected to remain off duty for a few more weeks, the Samoa Observer reported this week.

 

Both senior officers were suspended in order not to influence the investigation by a Commission of Inquiry that is looking into mismanagement and abuse of power at Samoa’s Tafa’igata Prison.

 

They two will remain suspended giving the Commission time to complete its report to Cabinet. But according to the lawyer assisting the Commission, Sine Lafaiali’i-Koria, the “magnitude of evidence” gathered during the hearing caused the extension.

 

Of the 122 witnesses, 40 were current prisoners, seven former prisoners, 56 police officers the rest were members of the public.

 

Sources: Radio New Zealand, Samoa Observer