A tragic accident has claimed the life of 55-year-old Jope Tuivanuavou, a father of eight, in Lausa, Tavua. The incident occurred around noon on Wednesday when a locomotive carrying sugarcane to the Lautoka Mill derailed off a bridge. While Tuivanuavou died at the scene, his colleague was seriously injured and is currently receiving treatment at Aspen Medical Lautoka Hospital.
Vilisi Verebasoga, Tuivanuavou’s wife, expressed her profound grief, stating, “Losing the father of your eight children unexpectedly is a painful experience that is difficult to process.” She described her husband as a dedicated man of faith, serving as the senior pastor for the Fiji Evangelical Church’s Tavua branch.
Verebasoga recounted the moments leading up to the accident. The couple had shared a prayer meeting the night before, and on Wednesday morning, she felt compelled to pray with him again, sensing that something might happen. After breakfast and a warm goodbye, he left for work, unaware of the tragedy that awaited.
She reflected on the family’s struggles to cope with his sudden passing, noting that their children living in New Zealand and Kadavu are particularly affected. “He was a humble, caring, healthy family man,” she remembered fondly. Despite the sorrow, she finds solace in her faith, quoting Proverbs 19:21, which reminds her to accept God’s will in these difficult times.
Funeral arrangements will be made following Mr. Tuivanuavou’s post-mortem, with relatives from New Zealand expected to arrive next week for the service. He leaves behind his wife, eight children, and four grandchildren.