A family’s hopes of sending their daughter to Australia for studies have been tragically cut short due to a fatal accident in Lautoka early Sunday morning. Vani Ratudradra, who was preparing to join her twin sister later this year, lost her life in the crash, which involved four other passengers.
The sudden loss has left her family devastated as they cope with the unexpected tragedy that shattered their dreams for Vani’s future. Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro reported that Ms. Ratudradra was among four passengers in a vehicle driven by a 24-year-old on Queens Road near Navutu. It is alleged that the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and crash into a post. Vani died at the scene, while the driver and three other passengers were taken to Lautoka Aspen Hospital, where they are reported to be in serious condition.
Her brother, Sela, received the heartbreaking news just after 1 a.m. on Sunday that his two sisters were involved in an accident in Navutu. He hurried to the scene, recounting how he was overwhelmed by the crowd and emergency responders but focused solely on saving his sister. He shared that Vani had recently been discharged from the hospital after a serious illness, which heightened his urgency to help her.
Sela revealed that two of his sisters were in the vehicle, with Vani tragically losing her life, while another sister remains in the Trauma Ward at Lautoka Hospital. The family was returning from a 21st birthday celebration when the accident occurred. He emphasized their vigilance over Vani’s well-being since her discharge, noting that she had always been accompanied by a family member or friends for safety.
Vani was a former student at Jasper Williams High School and was set to reunite with her twin sister, who is currently studying in Australia. They were the youngest of eight siblings, and their mother, Losalini Ratudradra, is still reeling from the shock of the loss. The three passengers and the victim were also scheduled to participate in a youth church service that same day.
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident are ongoing, according to Ms. Naisoro. The national road death toll now stands at 42, compared to 63 for the same time last year.