A family’s aspirations of sending their daughter to Australia for studies have been shattered following a tragic accident in Lautoka early Sunday morning. Vani Ratudradra, who was set to reunite with her twin sister later this year, lost her life in the crash, which also involved four other people.
Her family is in shock as they cope with the sudden tragedy that has crushed 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 along Queens Road near Navutu. It is alleged that the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and collide with a post. She died at the scene, while the driver and three other passengers were taken to Lautoka Aspen Hospital in serious condition.
Vani’s brother, Sela, received a call after 1am on Sunday informing him that his sisters had been involved in an accident at Navutu, Lautoka. He rushed to the scene, overwhelmed by the presence of onlookers, police, and firefighters, but his immediate concern was to save his sister. “Last month she was discharged from the hospital after being very ill. That was why I tried to save her,” he said.
He noted that two of his sisters were in the vehicle, with Vani having died and another sister still in the Trauma Ward at the Lautoka Hospital. The family had been returning from a 21st birthday celebration. “After she was discharged from the hospital, we always made sure to take good care of her, and a family member had to accompany her wherever she went,” he added.
Ms. 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 the year. The twins were the youngest of eight siblings, and their mother, Losalini Ratudradra, remains in a state of shock.
The three passengers and Vani were supposed to participate in their youth church service (Mataveitokani) the following day at their church in Natabua. Naisoro stated that investigations will continue to determine the cause of the accident. The national road death toll currently stands at 42, a decrease from 63 at the same time last year.