Boy’s Death, Leaves Mum and Twin Sister in Shock
An eight-year-old child who witnessed the tragic death of her twin brother in Labasa on Friday is trying to recover from shock. Sofi Diyalowai and Iliesa Lino of Napoidi Settlement in Labasa went to visit their mother, Afi Bulikiobo at Delailabasa.
Their mother works at Najab Khan Shopping Centre Pte Limited’s bakery, less than 10 minutes walking distance from their home. The twins are Year Two students at Sangam Primary School in Labasa.
“After seeing our mother around 12pm we returned home,” young Sofi said.
“My brother, it was the first time to cross the zebra crossing quickly as the road was empty and I was behind.”
She said suddenly a vehicle hit her brother.
“The car coming toward town drove very fast, hit my brother and he flew over the small bridge and fell in the drain that had running water,” she said.
“Nearby neighbours tried to help my brother and the driver then took him to Labasa Hospital while I ran to mummy to inform her.”
Ms Bulikiobo said they rushed out immediately and upon arrival she witnessed her son gasping his last breathe after sustaining major injuries.
“My husband and I were working very hard to earn enough money so that we could celebrate Christmas next week,” the 35-year-old mother of six children said.
“We are very poor and now losing a son in a tragic accident has added more pain in our life.”
She said she doesn’t know where to start, whether to prepare for the funeral first or help her daughter recover from shock; or help herself as she saw how her son died before her eyes.
Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed that the incident happened at 12pm.
She said the student, whilst crossing the Delailabasa junction crossing, was allegedly bumped by a vehicle driven by a 26-year-old man.