A family’s aspiration to send their daughter to Australia for further studies has been tragically cut short due to a fatal accident in Lautoka early Sunday morning. Vani Ratudradra was set to reunite with her twin sister, who is already studying in Australia, later this year. The sudden loss has left her family reeling as they confront this unexpected tragedy that has shattered their dreams for Vani’s future.
Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed that Ms. Ratudradra was one of four passengers in a vehicle driven by a 24-year-old. The driver reportedly lost control while traveling on Queens Road near Navutu, leading the vehicle to veer off the road and crash into a post. Vani died at the scene, while the driver and three other passengers were taken to Lautoka Aspen Hospital with serious injuries.
Her brother, Sela, received a call around 1 a.m. on Sunday informing him that his two sisters had been involved in the accident. He rushed to the scene, disregarding the crowd of responders, desperate to save his sister. “Last month she was discharged from the hospital after being very ill, which is why I tried to save her,” he said.
Sela revealed that two of his sisters were in the vehicle, stating, “Vani died, and another sister is still in the Trauma Ward at the Lautoka Hospital.” The family had been returning from a celebration of a 21st birthday.
“We always made sure to take good care of her, and a family member had to accompany her whenever she went out. She was with one of our sisters and other friends from the area,” he added.
Vani was a former student at Jasper Williams High School and was planning to join her twin sister in Australia later this year. The twins were the youngest in a family of eight siblings. Their mother, Losalini Ratudradra, is still in a state of shock over her daughter’s passing.
The three passengers, including Vani, were also meant to participate in their youth church service at Natabua on the same day. Naisoro stated that investigations would continue to determine the cause of the accident. As of now, the national road death toll stands at 42, a reduction compared to 63 during the same timeframe last year.