Today, a tragic incident has left the students of Balata College mourning the loss of a Year 9 classmate, 14-year-old Eliki Delai, who died after slipping from a moving bus. The accident occurred in Davota, Tavua, as the bus was traveling from Waikubukubu to Tavua town around 7 am.
According to the Fiji Police, Delai was disembarking the bus at a stop designated for students of another school when the vehicle began to move. In an attempt to re-board, he unfortunately slipped and was run over by the bus, sustaining serious injuries. Emergency services transported him to the Tavua Hospital Mortuary, where his body awaits a post-mortem examination.
Eliki Delai was not only a student but also a talented soccer player, representing the under 14 Tavua soccer team. His untimely death is a significant loss for his friends, family, and the wider community.
This heart-wrenching event resonates with previous accidents involving young students, underlining the critical importance of road safety. For example, similar incidents have occurred in Nadi, where a 12-year-old student lost his life due to unsafe travel practices, leading to calls for greater accountability from drivers and the need for better awareness regarding passenger safety.
Road safety awareness and education could play a vital role in preventing such tragedies. As communities reflect on these losses, there is hope that these events will inspire renewed commitment to enhancing safety measures for all travelers, particularly young students who rely on safe transportation daily.
The community is encouraged to support one another during this difficult time while also advocating for improvements to road safety to ensure such tragedies do not happen again.
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