A road accident has cost the lives of two men, who were among several passengers travelling inside a twin cab, which tumbled and veered off the road in Nabalebale on Tuesday.

Police confirmed that Anare Kocawa lost his life. Later they confirmed that Mosese Vulawalu also died as a result of the crash.

Viniana Leweni the wife of one of other surviving passengers told the Fiji Sun on Wednesday that her husband was treated at the Savusavu Hospital and was sent home to Drawa Village.

“I first received the news when my oldest daughter ran towards me and told me to call her father who was one of the passengers in the vehicle accident,” Mrs Leweni said.

“When I asked the reason, she responded in tears that there was an accident and her uncle Anare Kocawa had died instantly. The news had already been conveyed to his wife. I was shocked and numb when I first heard the news.

“I gathered enough strength and I called my husband to know what state he was in.

“His phone was just ringing at first without any answer and I was a bit worried.

“It was late in the evening when he finally answered my call and he is stable at the moment.

“My husband was the first to be thrown out of the vehicle and landed on his stomach and got a few scratches.

“Unlike Anare, he hit his head on the road before tumbling further causing more injuries to his head.

“It is a sad day for all of us, but mostly for Anare’s oldest daughter who received her marks for her Eighth Year Exam today (yesterday).”

Mr Kocawa is survived by his wife and six children.

Mrs Leweni said she was also told that Mosese Vulawalu, who was at admitted at the Labasa ICU, had died too.

“His wife and three children are all miserable right now,” she said.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said the driver while conveying seven passengers allegedly failed to negotiate a bend along the Waisali bend, on the Labasa/Savusavu highway causing the death of a passenger.

Investigations are continuing.

Edited by Selita Bolanavanua

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