A family’s dreams of sending their daughter to Australia for her studies came to a tragic end following a fatal accident in Lautoka early Sunday morning. Vani Ratudradra was expected to join her twin sister later this year but lost her life in the crash, which also involved four other individuals.
The sudden tragedy has left her family in mourning as they struggle to come to terms with their loss. Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro reported that Vani was one of four passengers in a vehicle that crashed while traveling along Queens Road near Navutu. It is alleged that a 24-year-old driver lost control, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and collide with a post. Vani 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 the news shortly after 1 a.m. on Sunday that his sisters had been involved in an accident. He rushed to the scene, disregarding the crowd of emergency personnel, desperate to assist his sister. “Last month she was discharged from the hospital after being very ill. That was why I tried to save her,” he recounted. One of Vani’s sisters remains in the Trauma Ward at Lautoka Hospital.
The family was returning from a 21st birthday celebration when the accident occurred, and they had taken extra precautions to ensure Vani’s safety after her recent illness, with a family member accompanying her. Vani was a former student of Jasper Williams High School and was set to reunite with her twin sister, who is currently studying in Australia.
Her mother, Losalini Ratudradra, remains in shock over the unforeseen loss. The three other passengers, along with Vani, were scheduled to attend a church youth service the following day.
Police are continuing their investigation to determine the cause of the accident. So far, the national road death toll stands at 42 this year, a decrease from 63 during the same period last year.