IT was just like any other morning for Venkat Rama when he bid goodbye to his nephew Parmesh Ram yesterday as he left for work. Little did he know it would be their last goodbye.
Mr Ram, 30, was killed in an accident along Tokotoko Rd in Navua.
“He was a humble man and made everyone laugh,” Mr Rama said.
Mr Ram’s elder brother Harnesh Ram said his brother would be missed by his family.
“When we were called this morning, we couldn’t believe it because all we knew he left home for work this morning,” he said yesterday.
We will miss him.
He was a loving and caring person and he never got angry. He was full of life and was always happy.”
Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said the victim’s vehicle veered off the road and hit an electric post.
Ms Naisoro said the victim was pulled out of the vehicle with the assistance from National Fire Authority personnel and was conveyed to the Navua Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
She said a post-mortem examination would be conducted soon.
Ms Naisoro said the road death toll stood at 35 compared with 36 for the same period last year.
Meanwhile, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has pleaded with members of the public to use the road responsibly and safely, as children and young peole were at significant risks on roads.
The authority raised concerns after recent road accidents claimed the lives of three other men and a child.
LTA board chairman Vijay Maharaj said it was heart-wrenching to hear of the loss of the young men and the child who were deeply missed by their families.
“Young adults are becoming victims of road accidents at a time when they are beginning to earn for themselves and their families or are seeking education opportunities and are beginning to plan out their lives,” Mr Maharaj said.
A fatal crash on July 14 in Bua, Vanua Levu, claimed the life of a young man and on the following Tuesday, two men allegedly drowned after their vehicles veered off the road and plunged into the Rewa River at Kasavu outside Nausori.
Another accident on Sunday took the life of a seven-year-old girl at Tamavua-i-Wai Bridge in Lami.
Mr Maharaj said everyone was responsible for their safety when on the road, but children must always be supervised and taught to practise road safety at all times.
LTA also encouraged drivers to act responsibly. Parents, guardians and teachers have also been urged to play a vital role in reminding children and youths about practising road safety rules.
“At the end of the day, we all want to see our loved ones return home safely,” he said.
