A SCHEDULED trip to the US for Praveen Singh and his wife will tragically not eventuate after a road accident at Edinburgh Drive yesterday morning claimed his life.
Praveen and Savita Singh had planned to travel to the US for their second son’s wedding in May but those plans have been shattered.
When a team from this newspaper visited the family at their home in Omkar Rd, Mrs Singh was struggling to come to terms with her loss.
She said her husband, who just turned 50 years old in January, was in a hurry to get to work.
“He always leaves home at 5.30am but today he left a bit late but I always ensure I say goodbye to him and watch him go to the main road to catch the bus or taxi,” she said.
“Before he left, he gave me $50 for our FEA bill and also reminded me to go and pick up our visas from the American Embassy as they were approved. Those were his last words to me.
“He was a bus driver for the Cityline Buses for about eight years and he was passionate about his job.
“We were looking forward to travelling to the US and never did I think my husband would die so soon.
“The neighbours told us he was involved in the accident and the first thing I asked about was his status.”
Mrs Singh said when she arrived at the CWM Hospital, the doctors told her her husband was no more.
“I was just motionless and shocked. I cried and cried because I couldn’t believe he had left me.
“Right now relatives are coming in and funeral arrangements are in progress.
“We were very close and I love him very much. As for the accident, I hope that justice will be served.”
Police spokesman Inspector Atunaisa Sokomuri confirmed they had received a report of the accident and they had started investigations.
“The incident happened when the mini-van which was travelling along Edinburgh Drive heading towards Suva overtook a bus which was parked and offloading passengers,” Insp Sokomuri said.
“It is alleged the pedestrian crossed the road in front of the parked bus.”
Meanwhile, police also recorded two road fatalities over the weekend.
The first incident happened at Fletcher Rd in Suva on Saturday where a 40-year-old man was allegedly hit by a car.
In the second incident, police said a five-year-old girl of Nakaile Village died after being allegedly hit by a mini-van.
Insp Sokomuri said investigations were continuing.
