Two families are mourning the loss of their 17-year-old sons following a tragic accident on Wailoaloa Road early Sunday morning. The young victims, Samisoni Bale and Salesi Vakatawa, were students at Lelean Memorial School in Nausori when the incident occurred.
The driver of the vehicle, an aircraft engineer in his 30s, is currently in police custody. Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew stressed the importance of adhering to road safety regulations, noting the severe consequences of neglecting them. Initial investigations indicate that speeding and alcohol consumption might have contributed to the crash.
Salesi’s mother, Adi Halaiwalu Vika, shared her family’s shock and heartbreak over the tragedy. “I have six daughters, and he was my only son. I had high hopes for him,” she said, detailing how they had been waiting for him to come home by 8 PM when they received the tragic news.
Samisoni’s mother, Mere Makitalena, last spoke with him on Saturday afternoon after he returned from working on a sugarcane farm. “He mentioned he was going to Martintar and would be back later. He was taking a break year before resuming his education next year,” she recalled, tears in her eyes.
Samisoni was the eldest of two siblings. According to police reports, the two boys sustained fatal injuries when the vehicle, which did not have a canopy, veered off the road and overturned near a tree. The boys and two other passengers in the vehicle’s tray were thrown out during the accident, which occurred when the driver attempted to overtake another vehicle and lost control.
The remaining three passengers were taken to Nadi Hospital with serious injuries. The families are currently waiting for post-mortem results to proceed with funeral arrangements.