A family’s hopes of sending their daughter to Australia for studies have been shattered following a tragic accident in Lautoka early Sunday morning. Vani Ratudradra, who was preparing to join her twin sister later this year, lost her life in the incident, which also involved four other individuals.
The sudden loss has left her family in shock as they come to terms with the tragedy that has dashed their dreams for Vani’s future. According to police spokesperson Ana Naisoro, Ms. Ratudradra was one of four passengers in a vehicle that was being driven by a 24-year-old when the driver allegedly lost control. The vehicle veered off the road and crashed into a post.
Tragically, Vani died at the scene, while the driver and three other passengers were taken to Lautoka Aspen Hospital in serious condition. Her brother, Sela, received a call just after 1 am on Sunday informing him of the accident involving his two sisters. “I immediately went there. I couldn’t care for the crowd of people, the police and fire officers who were present; I just wanted to save my sister,” he recounted.
Mr. Ratudradra shared that Vani had been recently discharged from the hospital after a serious illness, which motivated his urgency to save her. Two of his sisters were passengers in the vehicle, with Vani tragically losing her life, while another sister remains in the Trauma Ward at Lautoka Hospital. The family had been returning from a celebration for a 21st birthday.
He noted that after Vani’s discharge from the hospital, the family made it a point to ensure she was well cared for and had a family member accompany her whenever she went out, which included one of her sisters and friends from the area.
Vani was a former student of Jasper Williams High School. She was looking forward to joining her twin sister, who is currently studying in Australia, at the end of the year. The twins were the youngest in a family of eight siblings. Their mother, Losalini Ratudradra, is still in shock over the loss.
The three passengers along with Vani were scheduled to participate in their youth church service at their church in Natabua the next day. Ms. Naisoro confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the accident. This year’s national road death toll currently stands at 42, a reduction from 63 during the same period last year.