As the year draws to a close, one family is mourning the sudden and painful loss of their mother, Sarla Devi, who was among three people killed in separate road accidents yesterday.
Ms Devi, 65, of Korociriciri Rd, Nausori, was struck by a vehicle early Saturday morning while sitting by the roadside waiting for a bus.
She was rushed to the Nausori Health Centre but was pronounced dead on arrival. The driver of the vehicle is currently in police custody.
Her son, Nitesh Kumar, said the family had only 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 said.
“When I rushed out of the house, the first thing I saw was blood.”
He said he and the taxidriver placed his mother into the vehicle in a desperate attempt to get her to the hospital.
“We felt peace watching her face. We had just celebrated Christmas with cake and juice. I feel her loss the most.”
Ms Devi used to work as a house help and often took her children with her to work.
The mother of two was also remembered by her pastor Reverend Ronald Ram of Grace Samaritan Assembly of God – a church Ms Devi had been a loyal member of.
Mr Ram said she had been attending the church for about a year and was a quiet, faithful member.
“She never left any service without coming to see me for prayer,” Mr Ram said.
“Though it is shocking and sad, we believe she is in a better place. We continue to pray and support the grieving family.”
In a separate incident a man died on the spot after the vehicle he was driving went off the road along the Queens Road at the Yarawa stretch near the slope towards Talenua, Serua on Saturday afternoon. Police have confirmed that the man was intoxicated at the time.
Meanwhile, a 34-year-old man succumbed to injuries last night from an accident that occurred on Boxing Day.
He was travelling along Waicoka Rd towards Nausori when the driver failed to negotiate a bend, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and landed in a mud pool. The driver fled.
The victim was initially treated at the Nausori Health Centre before being transferred to CWM Hospital, where he later died.
Police investigations into all three road incidents are in progress.
