A family’s hopes of sending their daughter to Australia for further studies have been shattered following a tragic accident in Lautoka early Sunday morning. Vani Ratudradra, who was expected to join her twin sister later this year, lost her life in the crash, which also involved four other individuals.
The devastating news has left her family in shock as they come to terms with the abrupt loss that has dashed their dreams for Vani’s future. According to police spokesperson Ana Naisoro, Vani was one of four passengers in a vehicle driven by a 24-year-old. The accident occurred on Queens Road near Navutu when the driver reportedly lost control, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and crash into a post. Vani was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver and three other passengers were transported to Lautoka Aspen Hospital with serious injuries.
Her brother, Sela, recounted that after 1 a.m. on Sunday, he received a call informing him that his two sisters were involved in an accident at Navutu, Lautoka. “I immediately went there. I couldn’t care for the crowd of people, the police, and fire officers who were there; I just wanted to save my sister,” he said. “Last month she was discharged from the hospital after being very ill. That was why I tried to save her.” He stated that two of his sisters were also passengers in the vehicle, with Vani passing away and one sister still in the Trauma Ward at Lautoka Hospital.
The family was returning from a 21st birthday celebration at the time of the incident. Sela mentioned that they had been particularly cautious with Vani’s health following her recent discharge from the hospital and that a family member typically accompanied her anywhere she went.
Vani was a former student of Jasper Williams High School and was set to join her twin sister, who is currently studying in Australia, at the end of the year. The twins were the youngest of eight siblings. Their mother, Losalini Ratudradra, remains in deep shock over the loss.
The three passengers in the vehicle, along with Vani, were scheduled to participate in their youth church service (Mataveitokani) at their church in Natabua yesterday. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. The national road death toll currently stands at 42, a decrease from 63 for the same period last year.