A family’s plans to send their daughter to Australia for her studies have been tragically shattered following a severe car accident in Lautoka on Sunday morning. Vani Ratudradra, who was set to reunite with her twin sister later this year, lost her life in the incident that also involved four other people.
The shocking loss has left her family in deep sorrow as they come to terms with the unexpected tragedy that has crushed their aspirations for Vani’s future. Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro reported that Vani was one of four passengers in a vehicle driven by a 24-year-old. The vehicle was traveling along Queens Road near Navutu when the driver allegedly lost control, resulting in the car veering off the road and crashing into a post.
Vani died at the scene, while the driver and the three other passengers were taken to Lautoka Aspen Hospital, where they are being treated for serious injuries. Her brother, Sela, recounted receiving a call shortly after 1 am on Sunday informing him that his two sisters were involved in the accident. He rushed to the scene, overwhelmed by the presence of onlookers and emergency responders, and focused solely on trying 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 explained. He mentioned that two of Vani’s sisters were also in the car. “Vani died, and another sister is still in the Trauma Ward at Lautoka Hospital,” he added. The family was returning from a 21st birthday celebration when the tragedy occurred.
Sela emphasized that they had always taken great care of Vani after her recent discharge from the hospital, ensuring a family member accompanied her wherever she went. Vani, a former student of Jasper Williams High School, had plans to join her twin sister, who is currently studying in Australia, at the year’s end. The twins were the youngest of eight siblings, and their mother, Losalini Ratudradra, is still processing the shock of the event.
The three other passengers and Vani were scheduled to participate in a youth church service at their church in Natabua on the same day. Naisoro informed that investigations are underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the accident. The national road death toll currently stands at 42, a decrease from 63 during the same period last year.