The tragic deaths of two young individuals, Pisawaqa Sirovoama, 20, and Meri Nadaba, 25, have left their families and friends in profound grief and have heightened concerns about road safety. The incident occurred early Saturday morning on the Queens Highway at Kulukulu Sigatoka when a driver, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, lost control of the vehicle, crashing into an electric power pole. Along with the two fatalities, one passenger remains hospitalized while the other has been discharged.
Senior Superintendent of Police Mitieli Divuana expressed sorrow over this devastating accident, marking it as one of two fatal incidents within a single weekend. He stressed the importance of responsible driving to protect not just passengers but also pedestrians. The Fiji Police Force and Land Transport Authority are committed to increasing their presence on the roads to safeguard the community.
Friends and family of the victims are grappling with the shock of their loss. Mereani Qarikau, a colleague of Nadaba, shared her disbelief over the sudden passing of her friend, recalling their last conversation a mere hours before the accident. She described Nadaba as a lovely person whose absence will leave a void in their workplace.
Additionally, Rosi Tagilala, a cousin to both victims, expressed the family’s anguish, highlighting that they are struggling to cope with the unexpected loss of these young lives from Bua, Vanua Levu. As the road death toll reaches 61 this year, a slight decrease compared to the previous year’s statistics, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety initiatives and the collective responsibility of all road users.
Despite the sorrow surrounding this incident, it can ideally serve as a catalyst for change, prompting greater awareness about the dangers of impaired driving. Communities are encouraged to look out for one another and advocate for safer roads, possibly inspiring actions aimed at reducing such tragedies in the future.
Awareness and preventative measures can transform this moment of grief into a foundation for stronger safety protocols on the roads, ensuring that such heartbreak never repeats.
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