A family’s dreams of sending their daughter to study in Australia have been shattered after 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 involved four other individuals.
The unexpected tragedy has left her family devastated as they struggle to cope with their loss and the dashed hopes for Vani’s future. Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro reported that Ms. Ratudradra was one of four passengers in a vehicle when the driver, a 24-year-old man, allegedly lost control on Queens Road near Navutu. The vehicle veered off the road and crashed into a post. Vani died at the scene, while the driver and three other passengers were transported to Lautoka Aspen Hospital, where they remain in serious condition.
Vani’s brother, Sela, recounted receiving a call shortly after 1 a.m. informing him that his two sisters were involved in an accident. “I immediately went there. I couldn’t pay attention to the crowd, the police, or the fire officers present; I just wanted to save my sister and take her to the hospital,” he said, adding that Vani had recently been discharged from the hospital after being very ill.
Mr. Ratudradra mentioned that two of his sisters were passengers in the vehicle. While Vani tragically passed away, another sister is still hospitalized in the Trauma Ward. The family members were returning home from a 21st birthday celebration.
“After her discharge from the hospital, we always made sure a family member accompanied her wherever she went. She was with one of our sisters and some friends from the area,” he said. Vani was a former Jasper Williams High School student and was scheduled to join her twin sister in Australia at the end of this year. The twins are the youngest of eight siblings.
Their mother, Losalini Ratudradra, remains in shock over the loss. The three passengers, including Vani, were supposed to attend their youth church service on the day of the accident. Ms. Naisoro indicated that investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the crash. The national road death toll currently stands at 42, compared to 63 for the same period last year.