Woman, 78, is latest road fatality
A55-year-old man of Siberia, in Labasa, didn't know his 78-year-old mother would not return home yesterday after a shopping trip to town. Abhyas Krishna who is unemployed and had been living with his mother Narayaniamma was shocked to find that she was crushed under a bus near the Labasa bus stand between 10am to 11am.
"She left home around 9:30am for town to buy some groceries and I thought to pay the bills," Mr Krishna said.
"Before she left home, she served me breakfast and requested me to bring bread so we can have it for next morning.
“Since his father and other two younger siblings died a few years ago, I have been the only one living with my mother."
"I was surviving on her social welfare assistance and now I don't know who to depend on.
"She wasn't suffering from any health problem and due to some weakness in her body, she used to bend on one side.
“I was shocked… my whole body froze… when one of my family members called and told me that my mother was crushed under the bus while she was crossing the road at the bus stand,'' Mr Krishna said.
“I don't know what I will do without her.
I am so lonely and sad.” Manikam Pillay, a family member and pastor of the Assemblies of God church in Labasa said he can't believe his aunt died so tragically.
"She was full of life, very understanding and always took out time to help others," Mr Pillay said. "My wife and I used to visit them often and share a few moments about the olden days.
“We don't know when the funeral will be as we are waiting for the post-mortem examination to be done." Police spokesperson Inspector Jokatama Qio confirmed the accident.
“The Police forensic team arrived at the scene to carry out their investigations,” Inspector Qio said. “The driver has been interviewed and released as we wait for the post-mortem examination report.” Feedback: shratikan@fijisun.com.fj