Classmates, Survivor Mourn Loss Of Friend
Astudent who survived the fatal three-vehicle crash at Nabou last Saturday was in shock yesterday after learning that his classmate had become the seventh fatality from the incident.
Police confirmed that Josevati Saukuru, 18, a student of Ratu Navula College died at Lautoka Hospital yesterday morning.
He was among three passengers who were on life support at the hospital.
Josevati’s classmate Tevita Seruitukana, 18, a survivor of the crash, recounted the ordeal. He spoke to a Fiji Sun team which visited him at his home at Yavusania Village, Nadi. His broken arm was in a sling.
He said the world would no longer be the same for him.
Tevita said he was seated at the back of the minibus and the whole group was quite noisy driving out of Nadi.
“After being picked from home we went to Westin where two of the boys went to pick something from their mother before we picked a last passenger in town,” he said. “We cheered and waved our flags until we reached Yako when we decided to rest with some dozing off to sleep.
He said he rested his head on the seat in front of him and the next time he looked up he saw something coming towards them.
“It was too fast then bang. I blacked out, but only saw a tourist waking me up as he was tying my leg with one of the flags. I was very lucky.”
Tevita lives at Yavusania while Josevati lived at Sikituru Village. For four years they shared the same bus to their school Swami Vivekananda College from 2014 to 2017.
“He was a lad who loved to be in his own space, but loved laughter and jokes. Most of the time three of us (including another victim who is still admitted) would sit together and the teacher would prevent us from congregating because of the way we were,” he said.
He revealed that last Thursday at Yavusania ground the group made plans to travel to Suva to watch rugby.
Josevati was the youngest of four siblings.
Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro added that two people who were passengers in the minibus are still fighting for their lives in hospital.
“They are still admitted in the ICU and are on life support. Six of them are recovering at the trauma ward,” she said. Meanwhile, Ratu Navula College principal Setareki Merekula said students and teachers at the school were saddened and mourned yet another death.
“Most of the students travelling to the Deans game on Saturday witnessed the tragic accident. Some even assisted in carrying the victims. The students and even the families are facing a hard time,” he said.
He said they have postponed the second term examination until next term due to the trauma the students faced. Furthermore, funeral arrangements for the four who died at the scene have been confirmed. Cousins Sanaila and Atilai Ruitoka will be laid to rest in their village of Yavusania on Saturday. Marika Rua, 16, a student of Ratu Navula College, will be laid to rest at his village in Bouwaqa in Vatulele on Saturday. The driver Tomasi Bulitavu will be laid to rest in Nadi. Edited by Epineri Vula