As the year draws to a close, a family in Nausori is mourning the heartbreaking loss of Sarla Devi, a 65-year-old mother who was among three individuals killed in separate road accidents on Saturday. Ms. Devi was struck by a vehicle while waiting for a bus early in the morning. Authorities report that emergency responders rushed her to the Nausori Health Centre, but she was pronounced dead upon arrival. The driver of the vehicle involved in the incident is currently in police custody.
Nitesh Kumar, Ms. Devi’s son, expressed his profound sorrow, recalling that they had just celebrated Christmas together. “My mum was a nice person. We provided her with essentials, and I used to take care of her,” he shared. He vividly recounted the harrowing moment he discovered his mother on the road, stating, “When I rushed out of the house, the first thing I saw was blood.” With the help of a taxi driver, he urgently transported her to the hospital, desperately hoping for a different outcome.
Ms. Devi, who worked as a house help, often took her children along with her on her job. Her absence is also felt deeply within her faith community. Reverend Ronald Ram of the Grace Samaritan Assembly of God highlighted her unwavering devotion, noting that she had been an active member of the church for about a year. “She never left any service without coming to see me for prayer,” he recalled. In the midst of their grief, Reverend Ram offered a message of hope, affirming, “Though it is shocking and sad, we believe she is in a better place. We continue to pray and support the grieving family.”
In addition to Ms. Devi’s tragic passing, two other accidents occurred on the same day. A man lost his life instantly when his vehicle veered off the road on Queens Road at the Yarawa stretch, with police determining that he was intoxicated at the time. Furthermore, a 34-year-old man succumbed to injuries sustained in a Boxing Day accident, where the vehicle he was in veered into a muddy area. That vehicle’s driver fled the scene, and the victim had been treated at the Nausori Health Centre before being transferred to CWM Hospital.
Authorities are actively investigating all three incidents to provide clarity and support for the affected families in this challenging time. The community is coming together to honor those lost while offering comfort to their grieving loved ones.