Mum Remembers Humble Son

My son was a humble and a loving man, says Adi Siteri Riley.

Her 25-year-old son Thomas Riley, died in the Cook Islands after he was involved in a motorbike crash on January 30.

Mr Riley was returning from a concert when the incident happened. He died after succumbing to injuries he sustained.

Speaking from Taveuni Adi Siteri said when she heard about the incident, she felt weak and the first question she asked was; “Is he alive.”

“At first I was happy when his friend told me that he was alive, but I wasn’t really sure of how serious the injuries were until his employer at the Rarotongan Beach Resort told me about it,” she said.

Adi Siteri added that her son was in a coma with serious head injuries.

“I asked his boss to place the phone on Tom’s ear so I could speak to him.

“I thanked him for everything that he had done for us, sending us money every month, taking care of his younger siblings and I also told him that if God wants to take him, then let his will be done.

We miss him.”

Mr Riley left for Cook Islands at the end of 2017 to work and had not returned to visit home. He had told his family that he was going to be back after two years.

“His employer has arranged for everything even bringing my son home, I thank them for that,” she said.

Edited by Susana Tuilau

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