Collision Ends Pursuit for Land
Devesi Devulu Vosadrau was to receive his residential lease documents in Labasa today.
But he is missing in the Qawa River, Labasa, presumed drowned after a boat he was in collided with another boat. Mr Vosadrau, believed to be in his 40s, had moved from Taveuni in January to stay with relatives at Cawaira Village, outside Labasa, in Macuata, to help him pursue the processing of the lease. He had bought kerosene in Labasa and was returning to Cawaira when the accident happened yesterday. He fell into the water and disappeared.
The father-of-five and farmer was looking forward to the day when he would bring his wife and five children to Labasa.
Relatives were still trying to come to terms with his disappearance. His cousin, Isei Matabalavu, described Mr Vosadrau as cheerful and bubbly. “He came stayed with us since mid-January when he was trying to acquire a piece of land so that his family can shift from Taveuni to Labasa,” Mr Matabalavu.
He said today would have been a happy day for him, but unfortunately he got caught in that boating accident.
“Neighbours would know when he is at home because wherever he was there would be laughter. I never thought that today would be the last day we would talk to each other.
“The boys from our place helped the Police officers and firefighters search for him but were not successful,” he said. “We haven’t told his wife and children about the incident because we are still waiting to find him.”
Police have confirmed that one of the passengers involved in the incident was still missing and the search continues.