Father faces 15 years for crash that killed his children

A father is in police custody facing charges of reckless driving following a car accident in Hala Hihifo, Tongatapu, which resulted in the deaths of his two children.

The community is mourning this devastating loss.

Tonga Police have confirmed that the accident involved a 37-year-old male driver from Sia’atoutai, located in Tongatapu’s Western District, home to one of the Kingdom’s main theological colleges.

The driver was travelling east-bound with his family when he tried to overtake two vehicles but lost control of his car, causing it to swerve and flip.

He has been charged with reckless driving, and under Tonga’s Traffic Act, he could face up to 15 years in prison.

The crash claimed the lives of his children, a 13-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl. Both sustained severe head injuries and were pronounced dead on arrival at Vaiola Hospital.

Two other passengers in the vehicle suffered minor injuries, while the driver himself reported only minor harm.

He is currently in police custody, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.

The incident took place just 10 minutes outside of Tonga's capital city, Nuku'alofa. Photo/Google Maps

The loss of these two young lives has sent shockwaves through the community, with many expressing their condolences to the grieving family.

One relative wrote on Facebook, “Rest peacefully, my dear loving and humble lil sister and brother.”

This marks Tonga’s third road fatality this year.

Earlier this month, a one-year-old child was involved in a single-vehicle accident when the car swerved off the road and collided with an electric pole.

Although the driver, a 20-year-old male and a female passenger were unharmed, the child, who was in the passenger’s arms, sustained minor injuries.

Motor vehicle registrations in Tongatapu have increased by 15 per cent in 2024 according to Tonga's Ministry of Infrastructure. Photo/MOI

In 2020, new safety measures, including the mandatory wearing of seat-belts, were enacted in Tonga.

These measures include requiring children to be securely seated while a vehicle is moving and preventing them from sitting on the driver’s lap.

Tonga Police have reiterated their call for motorists to exercise road caution.

“Drive responsibly at all times, particularly when children are passengers.”