A tragic event has unfolded in Fiji as 26-year-old Sergeant Joseph Naivalu of the Fiji Corrections Service lost his life in a road accident on Queens Road in Kalokolevu on Wednesday night. The incident occurred at approximately 8:30 PM when he was driving a service vehicle and reportedly lost control, resulting in the vehicle veering off the road.
Sergeant Naivalu, a respected training officer, was accompanied by two other passengers who were also injured in the accident. They were swiftly transported to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, where Sergeant Naivalu succumbed to his injuries, while the other two passengers remain hospitalized in stable condition.
The family of Sergeant Naivalu, who was back home for the “Sugar City” wedding planned for December 17, expressed deep sorrow over the sudden loss. His elder brother, Ben Naivalu, noted that the family had completed all formalities and was eagerly looking forward to the wedding celebrations, only to be met with this heartbreaking news. “Everything is set, and we are just waiting for the wedding day… We miss him so much,” he shared.
The young officer hailed from Yasawa-i-Rara Village and had dedicated himself to the FCS, climbing the ranks since joining in 2013. His family and colleagues remember him as a devoted individual who would up until recently celebrate his 30th birthday just four days prior to this tragic incident.
This accident is part of ongoing concerns in Fiji regarding road safety. Police reports indicate that the national road death toll has reached 23 this year, matching the number recorded during the same period last year. The tragic fatalities serve as a somber prompt for authorities to continue emphasizing the importance of safe driving practices as efforts to reduce road accidents continue.
In light of such events, there is hope that increased awareness and collective efforts towards road safety will foster a culture that promotes safer driving, ultimately saving lives and preventing further tragedies.
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