Vilisi Verebasoga from Tavualevu Village is grappling with the sudden loss of her husband, Jope Tuivanuavou, who died in a tragic locomotive accident on Wednesday around noon in Lausa, Tavua. The 55-year-old father of eight children died at the scene, while his colleague remains hospitalized with serious injuries at Aspen Medical Lautoka Hospital.
The accident occurred while the men were transporting sugarcane to the Lautoka Mill, with eyewitnesses indicating that the locomotive derailed off the sugarcane bridge at Lausa. Ms. Verebasoga described her husband as a devoted man of faith, serving as the senior pastor of the Fiji Evangelical Church’s Tavua branch.
She recounted learning about the accident while at home, stating, “I was informed by one of the workers, and it deeply affected me. Despite the tragedy, I thank God, as He provided me with signs and I fasted for a week in preparation.” She reflected on her husband’s fate, explaining that she felt compelled to pray for him before he left for work that morning.
In their last moments together, after a prayer meeting on Tuesday night, Mr. Tuivanuavou encouraged their family members, including children living abroad, to take care of themselves. Ms. Verebasoga expressed the struggle faced by their children in coping with their father’s passing, highlighting his caring and devoted nature as a family man.
While mourning the loss, she takes comfort in her faith, quoting Proverbs 19:21, “We may have many plans, but God’s will prevails.” She feels a sense of peace, believing that her husband is in God’s hands.
Funeral arrangements will be finalized after Mr. Tuivanuavou’s post-mortem examination, with relatives from New Zealand expected to arrive next week. He is survived by his wife, eight children, and four grandchildren.