Woman recalls last bus ride with sister
Like thousands of Social welfare recipients, Ram Piyari, had made her way to Labasa Town with her younger sister, Deo Kumari, and niece to withdraw their welfare benefits.
But her family did not know it would be their last jovial bus ride together.
The 74- year woman is the latest road accident victim after she passed away at the Labasa Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit yesterday.
She did not make it back home as the bus she and 40 other passengers were on met with an accident on the Yalava slope, outside Labasa Town.
Ms Piyari will always be remembered by her family as a ‘kind woman who always liked to help others’.
Still reeling from the shock, Ms Kumari, 70, who had sustained minor injuries said everything happened so fast.
She could clearly recall her older sister who was sitting on the seat behind the driver thrown to the front, hitting her head on the dashboard.
Ms Kumari said they were rushed to Labasa, treated at the hospital and sent home. She only came to know of her sister’s passing when her son called her yesterday morning.
Hirdesh Prasad, nephew of the deceased was contacted by Police to identify the body of Ram Piyari as she was living alone. She had no children and her husband had passed away more than 30 years ago.
The family is preparing for the funeral that will be held in Bulileka, Labasa.
Police are continuing their investigations. The 40-year-old driver was treated and sent home.