Bad weather delays car river salvage
Police divers have been trying to clear sand and mud, because the car is still deeply embedded in the river bed
Bad weather and murky waters in the Navua River, yesterday delayed the salvaging of the missing Kumar family’s car.
Close to 10 Police divers from the Police Special Response Unit (PSRU) were at the scene but had to postpone their operation. Police Special Response Unit diving team have been trying to clear sand and mud because the car is still deeply embedded in the river bed. Commissioner of Police, Brigadier- General Sitiveni Qiliho said: “We had to call it off this morning (yesterday), because of strong currents, dirty water and rising water level.
“We also called it off for the safety of the divers.”
Police chief of intelligence and investigations, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Luke Navela yesterday confirmed that they would resume their operation as soon as it clears. “Secondly the owners of the machine that will be used to dig the sand and mud out want to work when the water is clear,” SSP Navela said.
Brigadier- General Qiliho said they would be meeting with Navy Commander John Fox this morning regarding the operation. “We will be meeting to seek his advice on a few thing because he is a very experienced diver.” The white taxi station wagon registration number, LT 1511, belonged to the Kumar family who went missing on a rainy night 10 years ago. Taxi driver Davendra Kumar, 42, and Nirupa Devi, 32, daughter, Dipshika Kumar, 9, and son Edwin Kumar, 3, were last seen leaving the Assemblies of God Church at Calia in Navua in a white taxi at around 9.30pm on April 19, 2006.
One year later, the parents’ remains, identified by their only surviving daughter Deepika Kumar, were found at a beach in Pacific Harbour. Dipshika and Edwin are still unaccounted for.