Muniappa Naidu, a retired bus driver, is grappling with the sudden loss of his wife, Visha Latchmi, who died in a tragic accident yesterday morning. Ms. Latchmi lost control of her vehicle on M.N. Naidu Road in Lautoka, resulting in a collision with a tree.
Mr. Naidu expressed his disbelief at how his wife typically allowed him to sleep in, but on that day, she woke him up to say goodbye and to remind him to take care of their home. “Little did I know those would be her last words. She has been my wife for the last 25 years,” he reflected.
Struggling with health issues himself, Mr. Naidu described how unusual it was for her to wake him, emphasizing, “Today was a different story. She was a wonderful woman, and I loved her dearly. Her earnings helped us survive, and we were in the middle of expanding our home, a project she was deeply involved in. Now, that is on hold.”
Ms. Latchmi had been working as a taxi driver for the past two years. Mr. Naidu plans to consult with her family regarding funeral arrangements, which are expected to take place on Saturday.
According to Senior Superintendent of Police Mitieli Divuana, Ms. Latchmi was driving when the accident happened shortly after 8 AM, leading to her being transported to Lautoka Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. A post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause of death. She leaves behind her husband, two children, and a grandchild.