News from American Samoa, four men were killed in a horrific car accident Friday night in front of StarKist Samoa at Satala; in addition five people were admitted to the hospital due to injuries.
All four victims were StarKist Samoa employees.
Talanei news reports,information gathered from cannery employees, police and eye witnesses at the scene say that police were pursuing a white vehicle with a male driver and female passenger that was speeding and overtaking vehicles on the highway.
A vehicle from Masefau that was picking up family members getting off the night shift at the cannery was coming onto the main road when the speeding vehicle crashed into it.
A cannery worker who had just picked up his cases of tuna, Christmas gifts from StarKist, was struck by the speeding vehicle as he stepped out of the cannery gate.
Also killed was a security guard at the gate. Several other employees were injured and taken to the hospital.
Star Kist Samoa confirmed the four victims have been with StarKist for at least three years and there was no guest worker from Samoa.
All the people died at the scene.
Videos filmed by cannery workers and members of the public at the scene showed workers trying to get bodies out of the vehicles.
In a statement issued by StarKist Company, concerning the accident, says: "it is with great sadness that we inform you that four members of the StarKist Samoa team died [Friday] as a result of a car accident that occurred outside the facility gate. In addition, five employees were taken to the hospital with injuries.
“Details of the accident are forthcoming and we will continue to monitor the situation.
“Please keep the StarKist Samoa team in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
