An Arizona college basketball player from Hawaii is being lauded for her efforts to help a teammate injured in a quad bike accident.
During a team activity on April 11 that involved riding all terrain vehicles, Princess Lauvao, a freshman at Cochise College, pulled teammate Te Oramae Solomon out from under a quad bike in a remote section of a park near Sierra Vista, Ariz.
Lauvao, a Kaimuki graduate who was the Star-Advertiser’s girls basketball player of the year in 2013, said during the team activity players were paired off and took turns riding the quad bikes.
Lauvao said that while she and Solomon were on the bikes, the freshman from New Zealand sped up and she lost sight of her. Upon catching up, Lauvao said she saw Solomon’s vehicle upside down. Afraid that the bike would catch on fire, Lauvao managed to push the vehicle off Solomon, who was unconscious.
"Her eyes were rolled back, and she was shaking and choking," Lauvao said. "I was screaming for help because we were in the boonies. There was no cell reception. The only thing that came to my mind was to pray."
Lauvao carried Solomon and drove her back to where the team was gathered. From there, Solomon, who suffered second- and third-degree burns on her buttocks and legs from exposure to the exhaust pipe, was transported to a hospital. Lauvao said she suffered minor scrapes, bruises, and a sore back.
Solomon said, "I remember I lost control (of the quad bike) and the next thing I knew, I was on Princess’ back and she was taking me back (to where the team was waiting)." Praising her teammate’s efforts, she added, "Who knows what would have happened if she didn’t find me."
Lauvao said she hopes to come back to Hawaii to play for the Rainbow Wahine basketball team in two years.
"I’d love to play and represent the state of Hawaii. … There are so many schools to pick from but since the start of my basketball career it’s always been my dream to hold it down for (University of Hawaii)."
