Mereoni Ravudra credit her family’s survival to divine intervention after their car fell into the Vuniyasu River in Nadi when the Malakua Bridge unexpectedly collapsed on Monday night. Ms. Ravudra was traveling with her sister, Temalesi, cousin Akanisi Tokovou, and three young relatives—15-year-old Jenifer Balebatiti, three-year-old Setaita, and one-year-old Alipate Ravudra—when the incident unfolded.
The family was just two meters away from the bridge’s edge when it collapsed, causing their car to plummet into the river below. Ms. Ravudra described the chaos that ensued, noting that the car hit the bridge’s abutment and began taking on water as the rear mirror broke. Instinctively, she prioritized the safety of the baby. A nearby truck driver noticed the accident and rushed to their aid, managing to break the car’s glass and rescue the youngest passenger. In the meantime, Ms. Ravudra’s cousin helped another child.
Reflecting on her terrifying experience, Ms. Ravudra recalled being swept away by the strong currents of the river. “I kept praying and fighting to make it to the riverbank. My sisters kept shouting encouragement, and somehow, I made it,” she said. Her survival feels nothing short of miraculous.
The Ravudra family, hailing from Dratabu Village, is calling for urgent action to replace the bridge. They expressed concerns about the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) and their contractors, who were purportedly working on the bridge but left it incomplete, posing risks to locals.
Pranilesh Chandra, the advisory councillor for the affected areas, echoed these worries, noting that the bridge is critical for over 2,000 daily users, including schoolchildren and a multitude of vehicles. Despite repeated appeals to authorities, there has been no response.
The bridge collapse also impacted water supply to surrounding areas, as crucial pipelines ran beneath it. Queries directed at Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau regarding repair plans have gone unanswered. Police have reportedly taken statements from the Ravudra family as part of the investigation.
This distressing incident has raised significant safety concerns among the local community, highlighting the need for timely infrastructure development and intervention. It is crucial that authorities heed the calls for action to prevent future tragedies, ensuring that vital routes remain safe for all users while fostering improvements in emergency response protocols.
Through the perseverance and quick thinking of those involved, this family’s story serves as a hopeful reminder of the strength of community support and resilience in the face of adversity.
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