Mereoni Ravudra feels that divine intervention played a crucial role in saving her family during a terrifying incident on Monday night when their car fell into the Vuniyasu River in Nadi due to the collapse of the Malakua Bridge. Ms. Ravudra was accompanied by her sister Temalesi, cousin Akanisi Tokovou, and three young relatives, including a 15-year-old and two toddlers, when the tragic event unfolded.
The family was only two meters from the end of the bridge when it unexpectedly gave way, causing their vehicle to crash into the river. Ms. Ravudra vividly remembers the chaotic moments as the car hit the bridge’s abutment and water quickly filled the cabin. Her instinct was to protect the youngest passenger, a one-year-old baby. In a fortunate turn of events, a nearby truck driver noticed the accident and rushed to assist, heroically shattering the car’s windows to rescue the youngest child. Ms. Ravudra’s cousin also helped another child while the family worked to assist a niece who struggled to swim.
Recalling her fight against the strong river currents, Ms. Ravudra expressed her joy at surviving, stating, “I kept praying…somehow, I made it. To be alive today feels like a miracle.” The Ravudra family, residents of Dratabu Village, is now advocating for urgent measures to replace the unsafe bridge, raising concerns about the incomplete work conducted by the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) and contractors.
Pranilesh Chandra, an advisory councillor for the affected regions, noted the bridge’s importance, stating that over 2,000 people, including schoolchildren, rely on it daily. Despite previous appeals for action, he highlighted a lack of response from authorities. The bridge’s collapse has also affected water supply in the area, as the main pipeline runs beneath it. Attempts to obtain comments from Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau regarding repair plans have gone unanswered, while police have collected statements from the Ravudra family.
This harrowing incident underscores the urgency for infrastructure improvements to ensure community safety and prevent further tragedies. The response from local authorities will be crucial in addressing these significant concerns.
As the local community rallies together for the rebuilding of the bridge, there exists a hope that this incident catalyzes necessary changes for safer infrastructure, ultimately preventing future accidents and safeguarding the lives that depend on this vital structure.
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