Raiwaqa Buses Limited and bus driver ordered to pay a total of $132,500 to two victims of Sigatoka bus fire

The Suva High Court has ordered Raiwaqa Buses Limited and their bus driver to pay Sakiusa Soli $50,000 and his grandson, Sakiusa Soli Junior $75,000.

They also have to pay $7,500 to Soli and his grandson as costs.

The two were in the Raiwaqa bus that caught fire at Naevuevu in Sigatoka in 2008 where 12 people lost their lives.

While delivering his judgment, High Court Judge Justice Lyone Seneviratne says he has considered the claim for damages, pain and suffering of Soli and his grandson.

Justice Seneviratne told the court that in evidence given by the two, it was stated that when the bus caught fire, Soli went out of the bus through the sliding window and took his grandson with him who was 6 years old at the time.

He also highlighted that Soli’s hand and fingers and his grandson's body was partially burnt.

The Judge says from the evidence that was provided in court, it appears that the employees of the Raiwaqa Buses had not inspected the bus properly before it was sent to Sigatoka.

Justice Seneviratne also says that although the evidence states the bus was inspected and a test run was done, they have not detected the defects referred to in the report of the Land Transport Authority.

He says the examinations reveals these defects had been there for sometime.

Justice Seneviratne adds the Raiwaqa Buses Limited cannot therefore rely on the fitness certificate to show the bus was in a proper mechanical condition few months after its issuance.

He also highlighted that both Soli and his grandson failed to establish their claim for special damages.