As the year comes to an end, a family in Nausori is grappling with the tragic loss of Sarla Devi, a 65-year-old mother who was one of 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. Despite being rushed to the Nausori Health Centre, she was pronounced dead upon arrival. The driver involved in the incident is currently in police custody.
Her son, Nitesh Kumar, expressed his devastation, 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,” Mr. Kumar shared. He vividly remembered the moment he discovered his mother on the roadway, stating, “When I rushed out of the house, the first thing I saw was blood.” Alongside a taxi driver, he rushed her to the hospital, desperately trying to save her.
Ms. Devi worked as a house help and often brought her children along when she went to work. Her faith community also feels her absence deeply. Reverend Ronald Ram of the Grace Samaritan Assembly of God noted that Ms. Devi had been a devoted member of the church for about a year. “She never left any service without coming to see me for prayer,” he recounted. Despite the sorrow surrounding her passing, Mr. Ram expressed hope, saying, “Though it is shocking and sad, we believe she is in a better place. We continue to pray and support the grieving family.”
In unrelated incidents on the same day, a man died instantly when his vehicle veered off the road on the Queens Road at the Yarawa stretch. Police confirmed that he was intoxicated at the time of the accident. Additionally, a 34-year-old man succumbed to injuries from an accident that took place on Boxing Day when the vehicle he was in veered into a muddy area. The driver of that vehicle fled the scene. The victim had been treated at the Nausori Health Centre before being transferred to CWM Hospital, where he ultimately passed away.
Authorities are currently conducting investigations into all three incidents, seeking to provide clarity and answers to the affected families. The community mourns the loss of these lives while also coming together in support of grieving loved ones.