The family of 16-year-old, Anaseini Canakoula, were grief stricken as they remembered their last moments with her before a tragic road accident on Saturday claimed her life.

The accident happened near Vatutavui Village in Tavua on Saturday night claimed her life. This is the third death on the road over the weekend.

Police said Anaseini was allegedly bumped by a vehicle driven by a man in his 20s.

Family members said Ms Canakoula was to turn 17 years old today. Ms Canakoula’s uncle Kirikiti Biu said his niece stayed in Narayawa, Namosi, with her family and had come to spend the weekend at her mother’s village of Vatutavui in Tavua.

The mother and daughter were on their way from church. That was the last they heard of Anaseini.

The deceased’s sister, Milika Joana, looked for her but to no avail until she heard of the accident near their home.

“She (Milika) ran back home yelling that there was Anaseini was in an accident,” he said.

“I told her not to go back there and decided to go and take a look at the body.

“I felt her pulse and also felt that her body was cold.”

“I asked the carrier driver nearby to take her to the Tavua Hospital.”

He said doctors at the Tavua Hospital told the family there were no injuries on Anaseini’s body.

“We are waiting for the postmortem report. She (Anaseini) left school after Year 10,” he said.

“She was a joyful person and she had a lot of friends here.”

Police Spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed the incident.

“The suspect was travelling with three others when he overtook another vehicle and, in the process, lost control, went off the road and allegedly bumped the victim,” she said.

Ms Canakoula is survived by her four siblings and parents.

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