The tragic death of 39-year-old Sikeli Nawaqa in Perth, Australia, on Sunday has plunged his family in Fiji into mourning. Nawaqa was reported as the driver of a vehicle that lost control and crashed into a tree, resulting in his fatal injuries.
Nawaqa hailed from Nayawa in Nadroga and had maternal connections to Naceva in Beqa. He was traveling with three other Fijian men, who were injured in the accident and subsequently airlifted to a hospital in Perth at around 7 PM on Sunday.
His wife, Sulueti Naula, 37, expressed her devastation upon receiving the news, focusing on the care of their four children. “A pastor who lived with us in Perth went to the hospital for an update that morning,” she recounted. “After about two hours, I received a call from his boss. Just seeing the call from him, I instantly knew it was about my husband. I couldn’t pick up the phone; I just sat in my bedroom, sobbing and crying.”
The couple had spoken on Saturday about plans for their 18-year-old son to study abroad. Nawaqa had applied for work overseas through the National Employment Centre two years ago and had been traveling frequently for work. He was a supervisor at the Agri Fresh Citrus Farm at the time of his passing.
Describing her husband as a diligent worker and devoted family man, Ms. Naula is now tasked with navigating life without his support. His father, Inoke Nawaqa, mentioned that the family is currently making funeral arrangements.