A tragic accident has claimed the life of Jope Tuivanuavou, a 55-year-old man from Tavualevu Village, who was involved in a locomotive incident at Lausa, Tavua, around noon on Wednesday. His wife, Vilisi Verebasoga, expressed the deep pain of losing the father of their eight children unexpectedly.
Tuivanuavou was in the process of transporting sugarcane to the Lautoka Mill when the locomotive he was operating reportedly derailed from a bridge. His colleague was seriously injured in the accident and is currently receiving treatment at Aspen Medical Lautoka Hospital.
Verebasoga revealed that her husband was a devoted man of God and served as the senior pastor of the Fiji Evangelical Church’s Tavua branch. She recalled the heartbreaking moment she learned of the accident, stating, “I was at home when one of the workers called me and told me what had happened; it really affected me. Despite what has happened, I thank God. God was showing me signs, so I fasted for one week.”
She reflected on their last moments together, noting that following a prayer meeting on Tuesday night, her husband insisted that their group members stay overnight. On Wednesday morning, she felt a premonition about his safety and urged him to pray before he left for work. Their final exchange was filled with love as he hugged her and said goodbye.
Throughout the week, Tuivanuavou made a point to connect with their children who live in New Zealand and Kadavu, emphasizing the importance of looking after themselves.
Verebasoga spoke about the challenge her children are facing in coping with their father’s sudden death. “He was a humble, caring, healthy family man,” she said. Despite their grief, she finds solace in her faith, quoting Proverbs 19:21: “We may have many plans, but God’s will prevails.” She expressed acceptance of the situation, noting, “I am at peace because he is in the Lord’s hands.”
Funeral arrangements for Mr. Tuivanuavou will be organized once the post-mortem is completed. Relatives from New Zealand are expected to arrive next week, potentially in time for the funeral service. He leaves behind his wife, eight children, and four grandchildren.