Eseroma Nasiga’s preparation for a major primary schools rugby tournament came to an abrupt end when he saw his father dead in a pool of blood on Sunday night.

The 12-year-old was having his dinner at his home at Sonaisali Rd when he heard a thud.

“I thought that a dog was hit by a car but when I ran out to check it out, it was my father in a pool of blood,” he said.

Due to the extreme injuries on 39-year-old, Atunaisa Nawai’s body, the Korovuto Primary School student said he only knew it was his father by a tattoo on his right leg.

“There was a rubber band on his right leg. The first thing I did was get out his phone from his pocket to call my mother.

He said Police had to bring in a body bag to collect his father’s body.

“When the Police arrived they started picking what was left of my father’s body and put them in a bag, there was blood everywhere,” Nasiga said

He added the manner in which he discovered his father’s death was something that he would live with for the rest of his life. Mr Nawai was allegedly mowed down by a vehicle, just a few metres away from his home.

Eseroma Nasiga points to where his father was found lying on the side of Sonaisali Road, Nadi, on August 13, 2017. Photo: Waisea Nasokia

Nasiga said he would no longer be part of the 2017 Crest Westkids Rugby Development Festival because he wanted to mourn the death of his father.

He was set to march into camp yesterday at Namaka Public School to participate in the tournament which kicks off at Prince Charles Park, Nadi, today.

“Dad has already paid for the food and all the things I will need while at camp. He was looking forward to see me play my first match on Tuesday,” Nasiga said.

“I have lost my biggest fan. He would always turn up to show his support in all my rugby matches.”

As the only child in the family, he said he had lost a mentor and a role model.

“I have decided not to participate in the tournament because of my father’s death, I will miss him and all the things he would sacrifice for me.”

Mr Nawai’s wife, Miriama Moceinadali, described her husband as a good man.

“I was waiting for him to pick me from work on Sunday but around 7.15 pm until I received a call from my neighbour that he was hit by car, the only question I asked whether he was still breathing or not,” she said.

Ms Moceinadali works at a hotel in Nadi and they had been married for the last 12 years.

“This is just hard for me and my son, now it’s the two of us. My husband was the best; he worked hard for the betterment of our family,” she said.

“I have always reminded my son to work hard in school and to bring out the best when playing in any rugby match just to make his father proud.

“He always wanted the best for our family and our son, a very supportive husband and father,” she said.

Mr Nawai will be laid to rest on Saturday.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed that the victim was allegedly intoxicated lying on the road when the driver unknowingly ran over him.

She said the driver had not been charged yet as they awaited the post mortem examination.

The road death toll now stands at 28 compared to 36 for the same period last year.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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