Two injured children of Batiri, Nadroga, crash victim Titilia Vunawena Kalinisei will most probably miss their mother’s funeral service because of the severity of their injuries.

Losalini Bainimua,13, and her 11-year-old brother Peni Kalinisei (Jnr) are admitted in the Lautoka Children’s Hospital recovering from the injuries they sustained from the fatal car crash that claimed the life of their late mother and grandmother, Lusiana Nauvakatutu.

“I just told them the news of their mother’s passing today (yesterday) and seeing the pain and tears streaming from their eyes was really hard to bear,” said their father, Peni Kalinisei.

During happier times … Losalini Bainimua, the late Mrs Titilia Vunawena Kalinisei, Peni Kalinisei (Snr) Peni Kalenisei Jnr (standing at back) and Timoci Lutu. Photo: Supplied

Mr Kalinisei Snr said his daughter Losalini would have surgery on her leg sometime today because she broke it in two places and required some reconstruction.

“We will request for their release, but it will be up to the doctors, whether or not they would attend the funeral.”

His son and namesake Peni Jnr sustained injuries as well, including a broken leg.

“This is the worst school holidays for us as a family, my children losing their loving mother and me losing the love of my life, my dear wife,” he said.

“Things will never be the same again for us because we will surely miss her love and care, which was something she never ran out of.”

Distraught husband Peni Kalinisei at the Lautoka Hospital on April 23, 2018.
Photo: Peni Komaisavai

DAYS BUILDING UP TO THE ACCIDENT

Mr Kalinisei Snr shared how his wife had asked for her and the children to go and attend her uncle’s funeral along with her mother at their village in Naqara, Naitasiri.

“She asked me if they could spend the first week of the holidays there, but right on the eve of their departure I begged her and my children to please hurry back because we were so accustomed to doing things together as a family,” he said.

“I told them that I would really miss them for that one week, so my wife agreed and said they would be back right after the funeral.”

But he said there was something amiss on that morning of their departure.

“I have never seen my wife looking so elegantly beautiful, she kissed me, hugged me then she got in the car, then as it moved on from our house she stopped the car, got out and hugged me again.”

The Waidina Landing Barge captain did not realise, that would be the last time they spoke.

“I told them to call me at around 6am-7am, but when I woke up around 8am, no calls, I did not know that my wife and kids were all lying at the Sigatoka Hospital.”

“The loss of my wife and mother-in-law is hard to bear, but I will have to be strong for my kids because that is what she would have wanted me to do,” he said

The funeral service for the late Mrs Kalinisei and her late mother Ms Nauvakatutu will be held at Naqara Village, Naitasiri, this Saturday.

Edited by Epineri Vula

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