Vilisi Verebasoga from Tavualevu Village is grappling with the shock of losing her husband, Jope Tuivanuavou, 55, who tragically died in a locomotive accident in Lausa, Tavua, at midday on Wednesday. Tuivanuavou was killed instantly in the incident, while a colleague is currently hospitalized with serious injuries at Aspen Medical Lautoka Hospital.
The two men were in the process of transporting sugarcane to the Lautoka Mill when the locomotive reportedly derailed off the Lausa sugarcane bridge, according to eyewitness accounts.
“My husband was a devoted man of God and served as the senior pastor for the Fiji Evangelical Church Tavua branch,” Ms. Verebasoga shared. The painful news of her husband’s passing reached her while she was at home, and she expressed her deep sorrow. “Despite the tragedy, I offer my thanks to God as I believe He prepared me through signs. I had been fasting for a week, feeling that I would be facing a significant challenge.”
Ms. Verebasoga recounted their last moments together, sharing that after participating in a prayer meeting on Tuesday night, her husband invited the group to stay over. “The next morning, I woke him for prayer because I sensed something might happen. We prayed together before he had breakfast, and he hugged me goodbye as he left for work,” she recalled.
Earlier that week, Tuivanuavou had taken the time to remind their children in New Zealand and Kadavu, as well as those at home, to take care of themselves. “Our children are struggling with the news of his death, as he was a humble, loving, healthy family man,” she reflected.
While the family mourns, Ms. Verebasoga finds comfort in her faith, citing Proverbs 19:21, which comforts her that despite their many plans, ultimately, God’s will is what prevails. She is accepting of her loss, stating, “I am at peace knowing he is in the Lord’s hands.”
Funeral arrangements will be finalized once Tuivanuavou’s post-mortem examination is completed. “Relatives from New Zealand are expected to arrive next week, so the funeral may be held then,” she mentioned. Tuivanuavou leaves behind his wife, eight children, and four grandchildren.