Bus driver sentenced to 3 years imprisonment

A 36-year-old bus driver who was found guilty of twelve counts of manslaughter has been sentenced to three years imprisonment by the Suva High Court.

High Court Judge Justice Paul Madigan said that the sentence has to be imposed for the interest of the traveling public.

A non parole period of two years has also been imposed on Kaminieli Tuimavana.
 
Tuimavana drove a bus to Sigatoka on 28th August 2008 which caught fire killing twelve people near Malaqereqere Sigatoka.

Justice Madigan said the passengers gave varying reports of signs of trouble including overheating of the bus floor, strange engine noises, sparks, smell of burning and trouble for the driver in changing the gears.

He said matters turned from alarming to horrific after passing through
Sigatoka when the engine box next to the driver emitted flames and smoke.

The flames engulfed the bus trapping the 12 people.
 
Justice Madigan said Tuimavana is remorseful and has been waiting for the conclusion of these proceedings to make traditional apologies to the village of Natokalau where most of the passengers came from.  

Story by: Praneeta Prakash and Tokasa Rainima