A family’s dream of sending their daughter to Australia for her studies has been shattered after a tragic accident in Lautoka on Sunday morning. Vani Ratudradra, who was poised to join her twin sister later this year, lost her life in the incident, which also involved four other passengers.
The sudden tragedy has left her family in disbelief as they come to terms with the loss that extinguished their hopes for Vani’s future. According to police spokesperson Ana Naisoro, Ratudradra was one of four passengers in the vehicle at the time of the crash.
“The vehicle, driven by a 24-year-old, was traveling along Queens Road near Navutu when it is believed the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and collide with a post,” Ms. Naisoro stated. Vani died at the scene, while the driver and three other passengers were transported to Lautoka Aspen Hospital, where they are receiving treatment for serious injuries.
Sela, Vani’s brother, reported that he received a call shortly after 1 AM informing him that his two sisters had been involved in an accident in Navutu, Lautoka. “I rushed to the scene. I was overwhelmed by the crowd, police, and fire officers present, but all I wanted was to save my sister and get her to the hospital,” he recounted.
He shared that Vani had only recently been discharged from the hospital after battling illness, which is why he felt compelled to save her. Tragically, one of her sisters remains in the Trauma Ward at Lautoka Hospital, while Vani did not survive.
The siblings were returning from a 21st birthday celebration at the time of the accident. “Since her discharge, we ensured that a family member accompanied her wherever she went. She was with one of our sisters and some friends from the area,” he explained.
Vani was a former student at Jasper Williams High School and had plans to join her twin sister, who is currently studying in Australia, at the end of the year. She was the youngest of eight siblings, and her mother, Losalini Ratudradra, is still grappling with the shock of the event.
The group involved in the accident was scheduled to participate in their youth church service (Mataveitokani) the following day at their church in Natabua. Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the crash. The national road death toll currently stands at 42, a reduction compared to 63 for the same timeframe last year.