Another family in Labasa is mourning the loss of a loved one following a tragic accident, just days after a separate incident claimed the life of a police officer. On Monday night, a 38-year-old man died after being reportedly struck by a vehicle along the Wailevu stretch. This incident comes in the wake of a fatal accident on Saturday night on Naseakula Rd, where a police officer succumbed to injuries incurred during a traffic operation.
The victim’s mother, Mati Mariamma, shared that her son had gone to town to buy supplies for a planned fishing trip. He typically relied on taxi transport but opted to walk home this time. Ms. Mariamma recounted the pain of learning about her son’s accident from a neighbor’s son while waiting for him to return. She vividly remembers their last interaction, where he asked her to prepare his clothes for the fishing expedition. The heartbreaking experience of rushing to the accident scene, only to be denied the chance to see her son, has left her in deep sorrow.
In a related incident, 44-year-old traffic officer Dharmesh Krishna also tragically lost his life following a work-related accident. He was critically injured during a routine traffic enforcement operation on December 6 when a truck unexpectedly veered into parked vehicles, causing him to be pinned beneath one of them. Described by his wife, Ashmita Kumar, as a dedicated worker, loving father, and a man who rarely took time off, Krishna’s death has left a significant void in his family’s life. Ashmita recalls his final promise to return home after work, a promise that remained unfulfilled.
Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu emphasized the daily dangers law enforcement officers face while protecting the public. He voiced concern over the increasing number of road accidents and fatalities, urging all drivers to prioritize safety on Fiji’s roads. This series of tragic events has not only affected the immediate families involved but serves as a somber reminder of the need for road safety and the sacrifices made by those in public service.
As both families navigate their grief, the community mourns their losses, and there are calls for justice and accountability in these heartbreaking instances.
Leave a comment