Vilisi Verebasoga, from Tavualevu Village, is grappling with the sudden loss of her husband, Jope Tuivanuavou, who tragically died in a locomotive accident on Wednesday at Lausa, Tavua. The 55-year-old was transporting sugarcane to the Lautoka Mill when the accident occurred around noon, leaving another worker hospitalized with serious injuries.
Eyewitnesses reported that the locomotive derailed off the Lausa sugarcane bridge. Ms. Verebasoga described her husband as a devoted man and a senior pastor for the Fiji Evangelical Church’s Tavua branch.
She recounted her experience upon receiving the news of the accident, saying, “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 shared that she felt a premonition as early as Tuesday night during their prayer meeting, prompting her to wake him up the next morning to pray together before he left for work.
In his final days, Mr. Tuivanuavou had spoken to their children in New Zealand and Kadavu, urging them to take care of themselves. “Our children are finding it hard to come to terms with his sudden death because he was a humble, caring, healthy family man,” Ms. Verebasoga noted.
She finds solace in her faith, quoting Proverbs 19:21, “We may have many plans, but God’s will prevails.” She feels at peace knowing her husband is in the Lord’s hands.
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 is survived by his wife, eight children, and four grandchildren.