Young villagers recount desperate rescue attempt in fatal river tragedy

Four young villagers answered a desperate late-night plea for help and entered the Nasivi River in Vatukoula in an attempt to save a trapped family, only to discover they were too late.

Dead are Ajit Kumar, 43, his wife Shinal Kumar, 35, their nine-year-old daughter Anshi Kumar, and Mr Kumar’s sister-in-law, Adnil Denial, 38.

Police said the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer off the road and plunge into the river.

Late on Saturday night, a relative of the victims ran to nearby Lomalagi Settlement seeking help after the vehicle became submerged in the river.

Four young men — Sakiusa Rabuli, 20, Inoke Nailumu, 20, Iowane Corivuka, 21, and 15-year-old Jasa Yalayala — immediately rushed to the scene.

(From left) Iowane Corivuka, Jasa Yalayala, and Sakiusa Rabuli at the Nasivi River, where they joined efforts to retrieve victims from a vehicle that plunged into the water.

Photo: Katherine Naidu

The youths entered the river after learning that a vehicle carrying five people had veered off the road and plunged into deep water.

Mr Rabuli said they did not hesitate when asked to help.

"It was late on Saturday night when a relative of the family involved in the accident came to our village while we were drinking grog and asked for our help to retrieve the family from the vehicle," he said.

"We were told there were five people in the vehicle. Before we arrived at the river, one male passenger, who was related to the victims, had managed to escape.

"We tried to retrieve the bodies from the vehicle. There was one man, two women and a young girl. We struggled but managed to remove three bodies. As we were trying to retrieve the fourth body, police officers and firefighters arrived and assisted us in bringing out the last victim."

Mr Corivuka said the tragedy would remain with them for a long time.

"The uncle who came to seek our help knows us very well. As soon as we learned about the incident, we rushed to the river without hesitation," he said.

"Unfortunately, by the time we arrived, the family members inside the vehicle had already died. If we had been made aware of the accident earlier, we might have been able to rescue them while they were still alive.

"It is a very sad and unfortunate tragedy."

Jasa said helping others was part of the values instilled in them as villagers.

"I came with my village brothers because we believe in helping one another. We never know when we might find ourselves in a similar situation and need help from others," he said.

"Whenever there is an opportunity to help someone in need, we should do so."

Fiji Police Force Director Traffic, Senior Superintendent of Police Mitieli Divuana, confirmed the incident.

"The family, from Suva, was returning home after attending a reception at Nasivi Settlement when the accident occurred. One male passenger managed to escape from the vehicle; however, the family of four was trapped inside," Mr Divuana said.

The victims were taken to Tavua Hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival.

When the Fiji Sun team visited the family yesterday, relatives were still in shock and declined to comment.