Mother’s Day plans end in tragedy after fatal Sigatoka crash

A Mother’s Day celebration turned tragic in Sigatoka after 44-year-old Dinesh Padiyachi died in a road accident at Nayawa last Saturday night.

Mr Padiyachi, originally from Lautoka and a resident of Kulukulu, Sigatoka, was on his way to Olosara to pick up prawns when the accident occurred.

His wife, Thilok Tilotma, said the family had planned to travel to Lautoka on Sunday to celebrate Mother’s Day.

“We had planned to visit our family in Lautoka for Mother’s Day on Sunday. I told him to come and pick me up because we had to go to Lautoka,” an emotional Ms Tilotma said.

“His last words were, ‘Do you need anything?’ That’s what I heard him say.”

Ms Tilotma described her husband as humble and down-to-earth, saying he had worked as a professional joiner since the age of 18.

“We were married in 2013, and he was a humble and down-to-earth person,” she said.

Police said the 44-year-old was driving along Queens Road at Nayawa, Sigatoka, when he allegedly lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer onto the opposite lane and collide with a minivan carrying 15 passengers.

“The driver was conveyed to Sigatoka Hospital where his death was confirmed by medical officials,” Police said.

Police confirmed two passengers in the minivan remain admitted at Lautoka Hospital, while the remaining passengers were treated and discharged.

Olosara Advisory Councillor Arvin Mestry has urged drivers to remain vigilant on the roads.

“Drivers must follow the rules and regulations put in place by the Land Transport Authority and we need to keep our roads safe,” he said.

The national road death toll now stands at 18.