Neori Vuidreketi Makoto has a single wish: for his younger brother, Semi Lete Makoto, to return home to his family.
Semi, 24, passed away in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Aspen Hospital in Lautoka following an accident last week.
He was employed at Burger King in Martintar, Nadi. The accident occurred while he was riding his bike from home in Malolo, Nadi, to work when he was struck by a bus near his workplace.
According to police spokesperson Wame Bautolu, the incident is currently under investigation.
A witness, who chose to remain anonymous, alleged that the bus was traveling at high speed when it hit the victim. “The man was not wearing a helmet. He must have had a serious head injury considering the distance between where he was hit and where he landed,” the witness said.
Neori Makoto mentioned that upon hearing his brother was rushed to the hospital, he initially thought it was a minor injury. “But when I came to the hospital, I was shocked to see the condition he was in. He was in a coma. Throughout last week, I kept visiting the ICU, hoping he would open his eyes and we could speak to each other again,” he said. “The doctors updated us on his condition until they declared he was brain dead. Last week, we were told to come and say our last goodbye to him.
“All I wish for is that he could recover again and take care of his small family. He has one child who is a year old.”
He shared that his brother was saving money with dreams of buying land and starting a farm. Semi Makoto was the youngest of three siblings. Neori described him as a hardworking individual. “He is very quiet. He doesn’t speak much, but the work he does speaks a lot about him. He is a hardworking person. We were very close. I miss my brother,” he said.
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