Farhan, 14, followed the rules – but still died

Fourteen-year-old Farhan Nouman Ali wasn’t crossing recklessly. He wasn’t playing on the road. He was doing what every parent teaches their child—waiting at the traffic lights. Still, he was killed.

The Caubati family of the Year 7 student is devastated, heartbroken, and demanding answers after Farhan died in a traffic accident in Nabua on Friday afternoon.

He was allegedly struck by a vehicle driven by a 54-year-old man who reportedly lost control, hit a bus, and then fatally collided with Farhan.

“I feel very bad when I heard it. The driver should get good punishment. He should learn his lesson,” said mother Raina Safiq, 45.

Farhan died the following morning at Colonial War Memorial Hospital. The alleged driver also died on Sunday after being taken in for questioning.

Farhan’s father, Nazim Ali, 46, a PSV driver for 30 years, said his son had always dreamed of following in his footsteps—driving a minibus, helping people, and staying humble.

“Every Sunday he would go to the cemetery to cut grass and clean. He really wanted to be a minibus driver,” Mr Ali said.

Farhan Ali in his Suva Muslim Primary uniform.

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The family had no idea what had happened to Farhan until police contacted them using details from his bus card found in his pocket.

“I told him to stay home that day,” Ms Safiq recalled.

“He said, ‘Mummy, today I will rest and clean my room and sleep.’ I don’t know what made him change his mind, he went out of the gate, and this tragedy happened.”

Farhan, a twin, leaves behind his sister Fatima, 14, younger sister Fahima, 7, and older brother Azin, 15.

“He liked to mix around with people, make friends. He never hated anyone,” Ms Safiq said.

The Ali family is now grappling with the pain of losing a child who followed the rules, yet lost his life in a moment of chaos he had no control over.

Farhan was buried on Sunday at Nine Miles Cemetery, surrounded by extended family who travelled from across the Western Division to say goodbye.