Most passengers travelling on the Falealili bus that crashed at Malifa on Monday morning have been discharged from the Moto’otua National Hospital but four are in critical condition. 

The bus belonging to Laumoso’oi Transport was carrying more than 30 passengers and was heading to Apia on Cross Island Road when it swirled on the opposite lane hitting a Hyundai Tuscon in an attempt to stop. 

Several passengers and villagers who were treated at the Moto’otua hospital told the Samoa Observer the bus had had faulty brakes for many weeks but continued to service the route.

Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo told the Samoa Observer that the bus driver is yet to be charged and is currently admitted at the hospital. 

He confirmed that there were no casualties from the incident, and most of the passengers were discharged, though four were in critical condition. 

The Samoa Observer visited the premises of the Laumoso’oi Transport owners in Vaitele-uta and a worker said the owners are currently overseas. 

“I’m sorry I cannot help you, or give a comment because we just work here, we don’t own it [company],” said the man. "Our owners are overseas, you can come again another time."

Parts of the crashed bus were already placed outside the family home, when this newspaper visited the premises on Monday, with other workers already on their way to Malifa to pick up more parts. 

The Laumoso’oi Transport company had another wooden bus involved in a crash at Falelauniu in February 2019. 

Meanwhile, a passenger who sustained minor injuries from the crash, recalled that the wooden bus started losing control from Papauta when he heard something from the engine snapped. 

Iosua Nouata told the Samoa Observer at the hospital that the bus picked up speed coming downhill and claimed the brakes didn’t work. 

"From there the bus was picking up speed and the brakes weren't working," said the Pacific Forum Line employee. "We continued to accelerate down.

"And just before we got to the Malifa four corner, I believe the bus driver saw a lot of vehicles there and then decided to swirl to the side which led to it crashing into the other small car...no one died at the scene but we have others seriously injured." 

Mr. Nouata said the bus was supposed to make a stop going downhill but it didn't and continued to accelerate. He alleged the bus has had mechanical problems for the past five weeks with the driver allegedly using the hand brake to bring it to a stop. 

He added there were five women, one elderly man and a boy who were in critical condition when they were taken to the hospital from the scene. 

Another passenger agreed with Mr. Nouata saying the bus had faulty brakes and added that "it was speeding!"   

At the scene of the crash at Malifa, pieces of the bus' engine could be seen scattered around, just in front of the Phat Burgers restaurant at Malifa. 

A student in a school uniform was seen with his shoulder strapped and walking out of the hospital. Other passengers were still waiting to be checked at that time on Monday morning. Relatives of the passengers rushed to the hospital to check the status of their loved ones. 

The incident occurred before 8 am Monday morning and the majority of the passengers sustained injuries to their faces and bodies. The driver of the Hyundai Tucson was a woman who was taken to the hospital after the incident. 

A relative of the woman at the scene said the woman was on her way to do shopping when they received a call about the incident.