A tragic accident on Dreketi Highway has claimed the life of eight-year-old Krisav Lal, who was struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross the road near Basikalave Settlement. The incident occurred yesterday afternoon when Krisav reportedly crossed unexpectedly, resulting in the collision with a vehicle driven by a man in his 50s.
The Fiji Police have announced that the driver will be questioned as part of their ongoing investigation, awaiting the results of a postmortem examination to clarify the circumstances leading to this heartbreaking event.
Irimaia Rokosawa, Chief Executive Officer of the Land Transport Authority (LTA), has expressed his sincere condolences to Krisav’s family. He highlighted the critical need for all road users to remain vigilant, particularly in areas where children often cross, such as during school drop-off and pick-up times. “This unfortunate incident reinforces the need for all road users to exercise extreme caution at all times,” Rokosawa stated.
This incident mirrors previous concerns regarding child pedestrian safety. Earlier reports noted the tragic deaths of young pedestrians in similar circumstances, including one child who lost their life after falling from a moving vehicle. These events underscore the urgent requirement for enhanced road safety measures and increased driver awareness.
On a hopeful note, there are indications that efforts to improve road safety are making a positive impact. The national road death toll has decreased from 73 last year to 54 this year, suggesting that increased public awareness and safety initiatives are taking effect. This trend promotes optimism for more secure travel conditions, particularly for vulnerable road users like children.
With heightened awareness and community collaboration, there is hope that future tragedies can be prevented, fostering a safer environment for everyone on the road.
Leave a comment