Devastated Dad: My Son Meant the World to Me
New Year will never be the same for the Chand family in Savusavu. This is after their only child, Jason Jaysheel Chand, 22, became the latest victim to drowning. It was a beautiful Sunday when the three-member family and two nephews decided to spend New Year at the Devodara picnic spot in Savusavu.
As father of the deceased, Dharmend Chand, described how the alleged incident unfolded, he added how ‘heartbroken’ he and his wife felt.
“My son meant the world to me. We were very close. Losing him has shaken for us,” he said.
“The loss hurts more because this tragic incident happened in front of my eyes.”
Mr Chand said they were swimming not far from the shores when the tides began to change.
He said he took his nephew to safety first knowing that his son knew how to swim but underestimated the intensity of the currents his son was being pulled into.
When he did managed to pull his son out, Mr Chand tried his best to revive him but it was futile.
Mr Chand said his son was a second-year student at the Fiji National University pursuing a bachelor degree in quantitative survey course at its Samabula campus in Suva.
Originally from Qalewaqa in Labasa, the family moved to Savusavu three years ago because Mr Chand is a Police officer at the Savusavu Police Station.
Police spokesperson, Ana Naisoro said a post-mortem was yet to be carried out as investigations into the incident continue.
My son meant the world to me. We were very close. Losing him has shaken for us. The loss hurts more because this tragic incident happened in front of my eyes Dharmend Chand Father of deceased