ELANI Vua is devastated as she remembers her last moments with her 14-year-old son, Eliki Salusalu Delai, who tragically died in a bus accident in Tavua on Wednesday morning. Ms. Vua described how her family had just finished breakfast when she received the heartbreaking call about her son’s death after he had slipped while trying to board a moving bus.
“I never believed that it would happen. I had just left my son that morning,” she said. She recounted the painful moment of spotting her son lying under the bus, unable to approach due to police restrictions. Witness reports indicate that the bus was overcrowded, and Eliki was standing on the bus steps when he lost his footing.
Eliki attended Balata High School and was well-loved by his family and peers. He excelled academically and enjoyed playing soccer for the Tavua team. The tragedy of his death resonates deeply within the community, reflecting a collective sense of loss as they remember a promising young life cut short.
This incident raises important concerns regarding bus safety, particularly for young students. The Tavua community has come together in grief, and the Vua family plans to make funeral arrangements after receiving the post-mortem examination report.
The narrative is further enriched by similar past incidents highlighting the unpredictability of life and the need for stricter safety regulations regarding public transportation. In previous cases, such as a 12-year-old’s death in Nadi due to unsafe travel practices, the community has been urged to advocate for improved safety measures for all students who rely on public transport daily.
As the community mourns, there’s hope that this tragedy will lead to renewed efforts in advocating for road safety, aiming to prevent future accidents similar to Eliki’s. The legacy of his spirit as a dedicated student and budding athlete will remain an inspiration, reminding everyone of the profound impact one young life can have on many.
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