SHATTERED MILITARY DREAM

12-year-old succumbs to injuries after allegedly jumping off a moving vehicle

Twelveyearold Seinimere Matavura wanted to be a soldier when she grew up but her dream was shattered after she died at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva on Saturday.

The Year Seven student from Korobaba, Nabitu, in Tailevu allegedly jumped out of a moving vehicle last Wednesday, Police said. She succumbed to her injuries. The incident was said to have occurred at Nabitu Road, Wainibokasi.

Mother, Joana Mataitini, said she was an active girl. “She was cheeky. Always playing and involved in sports. She used to play tag rugby and loved it. She used to say, mum, when I grow up, I want to be a soldier,” she said.

“I will miss her so much. Last week Wednesday was the last time I had seen her.”

The single mother had brought up Seinimere on her own.

Three deaths

Grandfather, Timoci Modrau, said the family was going through a tough time. They had lost three family members within a week. “Seinimere died on Saturday. My aunt, who lived with us, died on the same day and now my wife Litia, - she left us yesterday (Monday),” he said.

“The funeral arrangement is for three people.”

What happened

Mr Modrau said young Seinimere was sent to the neighbouring Lomanisau Village to pay for cash power.

He recalled what the witnesses at the scene said.

“After paying for cash power, she played for a while at Lomanisau. While she was playing she saw the RSL carrier stop. As she approached the carrier, it was already moving,” he said.

“She ran and caught up to the carrier. She probably thought the driver was not aware she had gotten into the carrier.

“There was another girl in the carrier with her. She told us that they were joking about jumping off the vehicle if it did not stop near our home.”

“According to the other passengers in the carrier, they did not realise that Seinimere had jumped. “The carrier stopped near our home, because a boy from Lomanisau was getting off to play rugby. That’s when the alarm was raised about Seinimere.”

The road death toll stands at 39 compared to 58 for the same period last year.

Seinimere Matavura

Photo: Ronald Kumar Autiko Kamai with the picture of his 12 year-old step-daughter Senimere Matavura, who died after jumping out of a moving van in Nabitu Village in Wainibukasi on October 8, 2019.

Photo: Ronald Kumar Late Senimere Matavura’s mother, Joana Mataitini on October 8, 2019.

Photo: Ronald Kumar Timoci Modrau grandfather of Late Senimere Matavura on October 8, 2019.