A family in Lawaki Village outside Labasa Town is in shock after their nephew died in an accident on Saturday.

Inoke Bolatawa, his brother Dobui Railala and four other relatives were delivering a load of vesi logs in a truck from his village to his elder brother’s house in Korotari.

The 35-year-old was sitting on top of the logs at the back of the truck with Mr Railala and four others and the logs were allegedly not tied down.

When the truck took sudden a turn, the logs suddenly fell off taking Mr Railala, Mr Bolatawa and the others with them.

Mr Railala said when he got up he saw his brother laying on the road.

“When I reached him I saw his head badly injured and bleeding heavily and next to him lay a chain saw,” Mr Railala said.

“I called out his name but he didn’t respond, which was when I realised he had died on the spot.”

Mr Railala, who did not sustain injuries, refused to speak further as he was still in shock.

Mr Bolatawa had been residing with his uncle and aunt, Luisiana Wanukai since his parents died.

Angylishna Asha, who was among the visitors at Mrs Wanukai’s house, said she knew Mr Bolatawa for 11 years and called him uncle.

“He always united people and was never discriminated anyone.”

Ms Asha said this would be the first Christmas without him.

Police spokesperson Inspector Atunaisa Sokomuri confirmed that the Labasa Police Station had received the report.

“The load of logs was not tied up with any wire or support,” Inspector Sokomuri said.

“Mr Bolatawa was sitting on top of the load of logs which we always advise people to refrain from.”

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed that the road death toll for 2015 is 61 compared to 46 last year.

Mr Bolatawa was single and was the youngest of six siblings.

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