A family’s plans to send 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 poised to join her twin sister later this year, lost her life in the incident, which also injured four others.
The heartbreaking news has left her family devastated as they come to terms with the unexpected tragedy that has shattered their hopes for Vani’s future. According to police spokesperson Ana Naisoro, Ms. Ratudradra was one of four passengers in a vehicle when the driver, a 24-year-old, reportedly lost control. The vehicle veered off the Queens Road near Navutu and crashed into a post.
Ms. Ratudradra passed away at the scene of the crash, while the driver and three other passengers were taken to Lautoka Aspen Hospital with serious injuries. Her brother, Sela, stated that he received a call just after 1 a.m. on Sunday informing him that his two sisters had been in an accident.
“I rushed to the scene, disregarding the crowd of onlookers, police, and fire officers. All I wanted was to save my sister and get her to the hospital,” he recounted. He added that Vani had only recently been discharged from the hospital after a serious illness, which motivated him to try to help her.
Mr. Ratudradra revealed that two of his sisters were in the vehicle. “Vani died, and another sister is still in the Trauma Ward at Lautoka Hospital,” he said. The family members had been returning from a 21st birthday celebration when the accident occurred.
He mentioned that they made it a priority to care for Vani following her recent health struggles, ensuring that she always had a family member accompany her.
Vani Ratudradra was a former student of Jasper Williams High School and was scheduled to join her twin sister, who is currently studying in Australia, at the end of this year. The twins were the youngest of eight siblings. Their mother, Losalini Ratudradra, is still reeling from the loss.
The three passengers, including the victim, were also set to participate in their youth church service at their church in Natabua that same day. Ms. Naisoro confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the accident. As of now, the national road death toll stands at 42, compared to 63 during the same period last year.