Nadi family mourns dad’s death in freak accident
Plans for a memorable Diwali week by a Nadi family turned tragic when the head of the family was killed in a freak accident.
Dead is Surend Prasad, 49, a heavy vehicle driver for the Prataps Civil and Ashphalt Quarries Limited. According to Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro the incident happened at the company yard in Waqadra, Nadi, on Saturday afternoon.
She said, “The incident whereby a man died after he was seriously injured when the lock of a spare tyre casing snapped and hit his face,” she said.
“He was rushed to the Nadi Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.”
His only son, Shainal Padarath, 19, a freshman at the University of the South Pacific undertaking Bachelor in Commerce (HRM IBM programme) was looking forward to celebrate Diwali on Wednesday.
And also commemorate his parents 23rd wedding anniversary and his elder sister’s 22nd birthday in a big way.
“I couldn’t even get a chance to see my dad. Last I spoke to him was three days before,” he said.
“He wished me all the best for my exams and told me to come after the paper to celebrate Diwali and for family gathering as it had been one month since I came to Nadi. “My last paper is on Tuesday and Diwali on Wednesday. I thought of coming directly home after my last paper, but this has happened.
“He gave me everything I needed.
“He was the best dad ever. A loving, caring and hard working person too.” Eldest daughter, Shinal Prasad a secondyear law student at the USP said: “This coming Thursday is my birthday and we would have a double celebration with their 23rd wedding anniversary which we were all looking forward to.”
Wife, Saras Wati, 43, a beauty therapist said, “he did not return from work. I was not able to speak to him. Surend was a good man and focused on his family and work matters.
“He was involved in this incident and is no longer with us. But why did he die? He was hurt badly.”
The final rites will be held on Thursday with the cremation at the Wailoaloa, Nadi.