The wife of the missing truck driver of Ashok Transport, Sandhya Chand is trying to come to terms with hearing the news of her missing husband.

Sachindra Lal was noticed missing by his work colleague from the Westerland Ship after it docked at Natovi Bay to offload cargo on Tuesday morning.

“The workers realised that he was missing when they were offloading the cargo in Natovi and when it was his turn to move his truck he wasn’t there,” Ms Chand said

Ms Chand said that she was woken by her son and was relayed the message of the incident after they received a call around 1:30 am early Tuesday morning from a family friend in Nabouwalu.

They managed to speak to one the Mr Lal’s colleague who advised them that Police had searched the boat to no avail and they planned to release the vessel.

“He was returning from Labasa on Tuesday, normally the boat docks at Natovi around 11 pm and by midnight, it’s a must he’s at home,” she said.

“We understand that sometimes the boat gets delayed, but this time he never called like he usually does every time the ship docks at Natovi.”

Ms Chand said that before he left Labasa in the afternoon they had spoken to him and everything was okay as he shared a few jokes with her and the kids, not realizing, that that could be the last time they hear their father’s voice.

“We are hoping and praying that he’s found,” she said.

Managing director Krishan Kumar said that he is unable to comment on the incident as they are also waiting for a full report from the police.

1.30 am – The time that Sandhya Nand and her family were contacted by Mr Lal’s colleagues about her husband going missing from the vessel.

“We also did our part and at the same time we spoken to our insurance company and Accident Compensation Commission Fiji (ACCF) as well, regarding this incident.”

“I don’t know about the shipping company, because he was my driver for the trucking company, I don’t know what the shipping company is doing but as for our trucking company we have done our part,” he said

Mr Kumar said that the family was notified about the incident and he has also visited them at their home in Narere.

“I have told the family that if they need any kind of support I’m available and at the moment we cannot be negative.”

“At this moment we are all just praying that we find him safe,” he said

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said that investigations are ongoing.

Story By: Viliame Tawanakoro

Feedback: viliame@fijisun.com.fj