Family Mourns Death Of Young Mum And Sister

A family of Vesida Hart Set­tlement was left in despair after their 25-year-old relative died in an accident on Tuesday night.

Vika Radinibau was walking home along Vesida Road near Kinoya when she was bumped by a vehicle, driven by a 31-year-old man at around 8pm, Police said in a statement.

Police alleged the driver was un­der the influence of alcohol. He remains in custody at the Valelevu Police Station.

Ms Radinibau was a mother to an 11-month-old son. She was working for the Ministry of Economy.

Her aunt, Tavenisa Waqa, said the late Ms Radinibau had just called them after getting off at the bus stop.

“We spoke to her just a few min­utes before the accident,” Ms Waqa said.

“When she did not reach home, we called her, sent her a text, and mes­sages on Facebook, but there was no response from her.

“The people, who were among the first at the accident scene, called us back and told us what had hap­pened.”

Ms Radinibau was rushed to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, but she was pronounced dead on arrival. She was the eldest of five siblings. Their mother died in 2011, from breast cancer.

Her younger sister, Rosi Vusarogo, said the tragic accident has left the family in a state of shock.

“My sister was such a humble per­son, good and kind-hearted. I don’t know how we will cope without her,” Ms Vusarogo said with tears.

“Her son’s first birthday is at the end of this month; she was prepar­ing to celebrate it. She did not de­serve to die like this.”

After the post-mortem examina­tion is done, the family plans to have her funeral at their village in Naitasiri on Saturday.

The road death toll now stands at 32 compared to 46 for the same pe­riod last year.

Edited by Percy Kean

Feedback: nemani.delaibatiki@fijisun.com.fj