THE Cina family of Bucalevu village in Ra is counting their lucky stars after their four-year-old grandson Viliame Katonibau Cina survived floating in the Wainibuka river for about 9 km clinging on to his dead great-grandmother’s body.
According to his grandmother, 54-year-old Sainiana Matila, the four-year-old had accompanied his 84-year-old great-grandmother Timaima Tiralase Cina to go out fishing on Monday morning.
Ms Matila said the two left the village to fish in the Wainibuka River at 9am.
She said that was the last time she saw her mother.
According to Vasiti Vaciloa,49, of Wailevu Village in Wainibuka who discovered the body, she was fishing that afternoon when she heard the little boy gasping for air.
She said she was frightened at first then called their village headman who was across the river bank to find out where the noise was coming from and what was floating in the river.
“Lucky our village men and some of the youths rescued Viliame on time if not he would have died,” Ms Vaciloa said.
She said what happened was something they would never forget.
“It’s a miracle how little Viliame survived the 9-kilometre stretch,” Ms Vaciloa said.
His parents Jone Murimalua Cina and Mereti Kunamuri Cina said what happened on Monday was something they would never forget.
Mr Cina said they were blessed and fortunate that his son was alive.
“I just want to thank the Lord for protecting my son and the villagers for what they did, this is something my wife and I will never forget for the rest of our lives,” Mr Cina said.
