The relatives of two people who died in a road accident on Friday  after going to funerals in Nadi are reeling in shock.

Dead are Veniana Vucago, 57, of Nabukalevu-i-ra, Kadavu, and Josefa Ulianavanua (also known as Tukana) of Bua, Vanua Levu. Tukana was designated to drive Ms Vucago and others to attend the funeral in Nadi.

Ms Vucago’s cousin, Semi Nayavulagilagi, 68, told Fiji Sun yesterday: “I can’t understand how attending two funerals can bring about the death of another two.

“This is just sad news to the family, and I have to return to Suva and relate this to their family,” Mr Nayavulagilagi said emotionally.

He also told Fiji Sun that he and Ms Vucago, a mother of eight, were returning from two family funerals in Nagado, Nadi, when he was told over the phone about the fatal accident.

The current death toll stands at 15 compared to 18 for the same period last year, according to Police.

Mr Nayavulagilagi said that Ms Vuvago had received news of two family funerals in Nagado, Nadi, decided to attend it so they rented two vehicles from Suva.

Trying to control his emotions, Mr Nayavulagilagi said they had decided to return to Suva on Friday after the funeral.

He said he was travelling in the second rental car from Nadi when they received a phone call around 5pm that Ms Vucago and five other family members were involved in an accident.

“The family is still coming to terms with the news. She was a happy woman, even at the funeral she was always happy and smiling,” he said.

Mr Nayavulagilagi also told Fiji Sun that Ms Vucago had come in from Kadavu to visit one of her sons attending a technical college in Nadi. Ms Vucago and her son were in the same vehicle at the time of the accident. Her son survived and has been discharged from hospital, according to Mr Nayavulagilagi.

He further described Ms Vucago as a down to earth person, full of humour and a bubbly woman who always knew how to make people laugh, was well-known and loved in her village.

Meanwhile, Police have confirmed that six people were travelling in a vehicle after attending the funeral of a close relative in Nagado Village, Nadi.

The remaining four victims, which includes 14-year-old William Tabakalagi, one of the survivors currently admitted at the Lautoka Hospital. The other three are in the hospital’s trauma ward.

Tabakalagi’s mother, Raijeli Mada, said they went to Nadi to attend her husband’s funeral.

She said Ms Vucago was the husband’s grandmother. She also confirmed that Ms Vucago left Nagado Village on Friday and at around 6pm she received news about the accident.

Hearing the news Ms Mada said she grew worried about her son, William.

“I am still in shock after my husband’s death and funeral and I do not know what would have happened to me if my son had died in the accident,” Ms Mada said.

“I am thankful to God that my son is in stable condition but I am sad as to what has happened to the rest of the family members.”

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro alleged the driver had lost control of the vehicle while trying to dodge a pothole.

She said they were travelling to Nadi Town before heading back to Suva when the accident happened.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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