Epi Tabulawaki was scheduled to attend his five-year-old daughter Mereisi’s pre-school graduation in Japan and spend Christmas with his family this December.

Unfortunately the 32-year-old villager of Nahigatoka, Nadroga, lost his life to a road accident which occurred on Saturday  at Nayawa in Nadroga.

And worst still is that today, Mr Tabulawaki would have been 33-years-old.

His elder sister, Kalesi Tabulawaki who had been a mother-like figure to him ever since their mother left for the United States said he was a great brother who was happy always.

“Tomorrow is his birthday (September 19) and he is no longer with us. He was a carver by profession and all his works are in his room,” Ms Tabulawaki said sadly.

Ms Tabulawaki was at a church function in Suva when she had been receiving calls from her home.

“My family waited for me to get home and then they told me that he had passed away sometime after being taken to the hospital.”

She said everyone abroad was informed about her brother’s shocking death including his wife, Liza who will arrive from Japan with her daughter by next week.

“Our family last night sat for a short discussion and we just wanted to hear from his wife so that she could tell us her decision.

“She really wants to be here with their daughter so we are holding the funeral until another Saturday. But we will today discuss this with the Mataqali who will then confirm.

“His wife and daughter will miss him a lot because they have been in a long-distance relationship and both used to travel to visit each other accordingly. They both met in Fiji when Liza was here to study English.”

A neighbour who is also a family member said he had arrived in the same car early morning  to pick his jacket.

“His uncle advised him not to go because it seemed they had been drunk and sadly that took his life,” the neighbour said.

Mr Tabulawaki was one of the passengers of the vehicle driven by a 48-year-old.  It is alleged that the driver lost control of the vehicle and as a result it veered onto the opposite lane and hit a tree.

The victim was taken to the Sigatoka Hospital where Mr Tabulawaki unfortunately died.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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