11 Nov 2009

Bus driver arrested after bus crash kills 8 in Samoa

4:58 pm on 11 November 2009

The driver of the bus which crashed in Samoa killing at least eight people, including a six-month-old baby, on Monday has been arrested.

The driver ran away after the crash, which also left more than 20 people injured. Some remain in a critical condition in hospital.

Radio New Zealand International's correspondent in Samoa, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, says police are now questioning the man.

Police said earlier that speed may have been a factor in the crash, near Solosolo on the eastern side of Upolu Island. The bus, which was carrying more than 30 people, swerved off the road as it travelled towards the village of Lalomauga, landing on its roof.

Samoan Observer editor Keni Lesa also says excessive speed may have caused the bus to flip over on the winding coastal road.

He says it may have also needed new tyres.

Mr Lesa says the old wooden bus was making a routine journey taking people home to their villages.

He says the driver had a previous conviction for dangerous driving

The crash comes as Samoans are still grieving over a tsunami that killed 143 people, including five Australians, in the country in late September.