Isa na luvequ! Isa na watiqu, sa rau oti vakadua! (Oh my son! Oh my husband, they are no more forever)

This was the cry of a distraught mother and wife as pallbearers carried the body of her son Lodoviko Canakaivata, 31, and husband Elia Canakaivata, 60, out of the Navunisole Catholic Church in Navunisole Village, Tailevu yesterday.

The late Lodoviko and Elia (father and son) along with Kelemete Raivuni and Usaia Niqilai were fatal victims of the Matacula Village accident on December 27.

According to Police, Mr Lodoviko was driving his black Toyota Crown back from the Natovi Parish with his father, Mr Elia, in the front passenger seat.

He allegedly overtook a vehicle on Natovi Highway near Matacula Village and crashed head on with another Toyota Crown which was driven by Mr Raivuni.

Mr Niqilai was travelling with Mr Raivuni.

Hundreds flocked to the village church yesterday to bid their final farewell to the three victims Lodoviko, Elia and Raivuni who were all from Navunisole Village.

Mr Lodoviko and Elia died on the spot while Mr  Raivuni died at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital on December 30.

Mr Lodoviko’s heavily pregnant wife Jokapeci Daurua could not contain her emotion as she continuously wailed during the service.

Jokapeci Canakaivata, wife of one of the deceased Lodoviko Canakaivata, is comforted at the funeral of her husband and the two others on January 2, 2021. Photos: Inoke Rabonu

Ms Daurua said her husband was a man that prioritised family above anything else and was always willing to commit himself to the work of the church.

While delivering his sermon at the Resurrection Mass, head of the Catholic Church in Fiji Archbishop Peter Loy Chong said Mr Lodoviko and his father were faithful instruments of the Catholic Church in Fiji.

Mr Lodoviko was an employee of the Biosecurity of Fiji until he passed away.

He is survived by his wife and three-year-old son Ioane Canakaivata.

Losing both husband and son … a distraught Salome Canaikaivata is comforted by relatives after the funeral service of her husband Elia Tinaiviti Canakaivata and son Lodoviko Canakaivata at the Navusole Catholic Church in Tailevu on January 2, 2021. Photo: Inoke Rabonu

Close relative of Mr Raivuni, Miliana Vugona described him as a man with an admirable character.

“Kele could have been alive if he had decided to come home that night as it was getting late, but he felt sorry for the family that needed to get home before the curfew so he chose to go ahead and drop them,” Ms Vugona said.

“That was it, he sacrificed for others and those that were really in need. He was a man like no other, he loved like no other,” she said.

“It was not the way we thought of welcoming the New Year as a village and I only hope the families will be at peace following the loss of their loved ones.”

The three were buried at the village burial grounds.

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