3 DEAD IN AS MANY DAYS
Three lives have been lost over
days on our roads.
The latest victim is a six-year-old Year One student, who died after being hit by a car on Wasavulu Road, Labasa yesterday.
He is believed to have run across the road.
Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said: “The incident took place on September 17, at Wasavulu in Labasa.
“The driver was driving his vehicle towards Labasa Town when it allegedly bumped a six-year-old, who suddenly ran across the road.”
Grandfather mourns death of his namesake:
Apenisa Rawaqa bid goodbye to his grandson Apenisa Rawaqa (Jnr) as he left for school. However, a few moments later he was devastated by the news that his namesake was the victim of an accident.
The Year One student of Khalsa Primary School wanted to become a Police officer when he grew up. Mr Rawaqa (Snr), who took his grandson to Labasa Hospital, said his namesake was a loving, caring child and full of life.
He said the family would miss him.
“During my quality time with my grandkids, I always think of what a joy they are. To lose a child, children or grandchild, is devastating. “There are few more difficult things in life for a parent or grandparent. This leaves us dashed with dreams for the life they might have had.
“It’s a profound sense of loss that we can’t even begin to explain the pain to others who have not experienced this.”
Recalling the incident, he said the mother of the deceased, who is a nurse at Labasa Hospital, had returned from work and was asleep when the incident occurred. “My namesake has a twin brother who attends the village school at Navidamu in Macuata. He has six siblings,” Mr Rawaqa said. “This morning they had their breakfast. We did not know that it would be our last meal as a family with my namesake.
“After breakfast they showered, put on their uniform and left for school. He was outside, when he ran back inside, kissed his younger siblings and his grandmother and bid farewell to us.”
“Not long after, his older sister who is in Year Four ran back to tell us that my namesake was hit by a vehicle, we all ran outside.
“By the time, we went to the road side, one man was carrying my namesake.
“I could not believe what I saw. I ran quickly, got hold of my grandson and carried him. Blood was coming out of his nose and ears and as I carried him, I knew that he had passed away.
“It is a dreadful experience for any grandparent or parent to go through.” Police investigations are continuing. The road death toll is now 53 compared to 47 last year.
During the weekend:
Archana Chand of Valelevu died after being hit by a vehicle on Sunday. She was on her way to do some shopping with her sister.
On Saturday, Ajodhya Prasad, 74, lost his life at Varavu in Ba when he was on his way to visit his daughter.
Edited by Jyoti Pratibha