Tina Luafalealo is still nursing her injuries at the national hospital, which were sustained during the fatal Malifa bus crash last Monday that claimed a life and led to multiple passengers getting injured. 

A mother to two toddlers aged 2 and 3, she is gutted that she has to spend White Sunday at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital, but nonetheless grateful to be alive.

In an exclusive interview with the Samoa Observer on Saturday, the 25-year-old said that she was supposed to get discharged last week. However, her husband had asked the doctors at the national hospital to keep her for another week due to the severity of her wounds.

"The accident could have ended my life," said Mrs. Luafalealo, as she fought back tears. "My daughters could have been without a mother and they are still very young. 

"It breaks my heart, every time I think about it. But I am alive and despite being in the hospital, though I wish I could be home with my daughters and family, I am still happy that I get to see my children, my husband and my loved ones."

Recalling the crash last Monday and the events prior to that, the young mother of Poutasi Falealili remembers feeling helpless and numb when the bus crashed and then waking up in the hospital feeling so much pain. 

"On Monday morning, me and my younger brother got ready to go to Apia to have his photo taken for his passport," she recalled. "I agreed to accompany him so I can also do some White Sunday shopping for my daughters. 

"When the bus got to Tafatafa, I knew something was wrong, as it barely moved. I was scared for my life and I was sitting in the fourth row behind the bus driver, while my brother was in the back with other boys."

Mrs. Luafalealo said when the bus got to Leififi College, they knew an accident was looming, especially after it began to swerve and led to other passengers moving to the back seats.

"Other passengers started standing up and moved to the back while the driver was trying to control the bus. People started screaming and I heard my brother calling my name. 

"My world completely shut down when the bus crashed. I just remember feeling a lot of pain and I remember trying to open my eyes to find my brother crying next to me. I knew I was lying on the side of the road, my face was sore and I could barely move. 

"I heard my brother calling out to Jesus for help. He also called out to other people to come help me and was also trying to get a car to take us to the hospital. I closed my eyes again and that was the last thing I could remember."

When the Poutasi Falealili opened her eyes, she said she realised that she was surrounded by her loved ones and they were all in the hospital with her. 

"The doctors had to remove the broken glasses there were on my face and some on my eyes. Luckily I survived – that's all I can say for now."

She was also touched by the messages of support, love and prayers from her loved ones as well as random people who commented on the video and photos of her posted on Facebook. 

"I've received so many messages from a lot of people encouraging me and asking me to be strong," said the mother of two. "A lot of people are also praying for me and that helps with my recovery and I am really grateful to each and everyone for the love shown."

When the crash occurred last Monday morning, Mrs. Luafalealo's husband was out of the country and working in Australia as a seasonal worker. But upon being advised of her hospitalisation, he immediately left his job and flew home. 

"As soon as he heard about what happened, he hopped on the flight the very next day and made his way to us," she said. "A lot of pain was lifted from my chest when he arrived. I know my daughters would want one of us home for White Sunday. 

"My daughters have been staying with my in-laws in Siusega. My husband was in Australia for seasonal work and was supposed to come back in March next year. But he dropped everything to come home after what happened. I am so grateful and very happy."

Asked how she felt having to spend White Sunday in the hospital, Mrs. Luafalealo said it was a sacrifice that she was willing to make in order to fully recover from her injuries. 

"There's no point forcing and rushing things. As much as I want to go home and be with my babies on White Sunday, I rather recover first so I can go back and take care of them. 

"Ever since the accident, they have been coming to visit me here and they are scared to see me because of the injuries and how I look now. That's why recovering is very important for me. My daughters are in good hands and I am not worried but just need to focus on getting better first."