Nidhi Goundar, 13, was seconds away from being the victim of a freak accident.

She had just waved goodbye to her mother, who was heading to work at 9am on Friday when a vehicle plunged into the family’s four-bedroom home at Field 40 in Lautoka.

Nidhi had handed a bunch of keys to her mother, Sanjeshni Goundar, and walked back inside the house to watch a cartoon movie.

Just as she settled down, she heard a loud noise coming from outside and within seconds, a vehicle hit the front of their house.

She was speechless to explain the trauma, but her grandfather Madhwan Goundar, 69, said it would be an experience she wouldn’t forget.

Mr Goundar said the impact of the incident damaged the home would cost around $25,000.

He suspected the driver and passenger were intoxicated.

“As soon as Nidhi sat down we heard a loud sound, it was the vehicle going out of control and smashed the front of the building,” Mr Goundar said.

“Our television and other items are ruined and one bedroom and the living room sustained damage.”

Madhwan Goundar (left) with his granddaughter, Nidhi Goundar (middle) and wife, Him Devi (right) inside their damaged home at Field 40, Lautoka on July 9, 2021. Photo: Nicolette Chambers

He said after the incident, the driver ran to the side of the home to brush his teeth to probably take away the smell of alcohol.

The family has resided in the area for more than 45 years.

“Accidents happen frequently in this area because of over speeding and the community has called on relevant authorities to construct more road humps,” he said.

Eye witness Reena Nandan said she was outside her home and noticed the vehicle speeding from a distance.

Police officers have questioned the driver and passenger.

Feedback: nicolette.chambers@fijisun.com.fj