Muniappa Naidu, a retired bus driver, is grappling with the recent death of his wife and family provider, Visha Latchmi. Ms. Latchmi tragically lost her life yesterday morning in a car accident after she lost control of the vehicle she was operating, veering off M.N. Naidu Road in Lautoka before crashing into a tree.
Mr. Naidu recounted that it was atypical for his wife to wake him up before leaving for work, as she usually allowed him to sleep in. He shared, “She woke me to say that she was going and for me to look after the house.” He expressed his sorrow, stating, “Little did I know those would be her last words. She has been my wife for the last 25 years.”
He remarked on his deteriorating health and the shock of her sudden wake-up call, emphasizing, “Today was a different story. She was a great woman, and I loved her very much. Through her earnings, we managed to survive. We were also in the process of extending our home, which she played a huge role in. Now, that is on hold.”
Mr. Naidu noted that his late wife had been working as a taxi driver for the past two years. He mentioned he would need to consult her family about funeral arrangements, which are expected to take place on Saturday.
According to Senior Superintendent of Police Mitieli Divuana, the incident occurred around 8 a.m. when Ms. Latchmi lost control of her vehicle, resulting in the crash. She was transported to Lautoka Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. A post-mortem examination is scheduled to determine the cause of death. Ms. Latchmi is survived by her husband, two children, and a grandchild.