Bleak Diwali for Colo-I-Suva cousins after road accident
Atrip to collect flora for Diwali prayers turned ugly when two cousins were allegedly hit by a car in Colo-i-Suva yesterday afternoon.
Manvik Lal, 11, and Reginald Lal, 25, were three metres away from the road when the mishap occurred. The two had almost finished picking dhoop grass used for prayers when a car bound for Nausori on Princes Road lost control and hit them.
Manvik’s sister Shivanjli Lal said she saw the car hit her brother and cousin Reginald.
“The impact had them almost airborne. They landed some metres away from where they were standing,” she said.
Manvik’s father Mukesh Lal was distraught.
He said his son suffered injuries to his head and doctors would be assessing him.
Reginald’s father Rajesh Lal said they planned to celebrate Diwali in a joyful manner, but he was distressed because his son had been hurt in an accident.
His son suffered injuries to the left side of his body.
Family members transported the two in their vehicle instead of waiting for the ambulance.
Raj Lal and Shivnil Lal were among the first people at the scene. The duo had to abandon their yaqona session around 4pm to rescue the accident vcitims.
They said they heard the screeching of tyres on the road and then a loud crash.
“When we arrived at the scene we saw Manvik and Reginald lying on the ground. Reginald was in a drain while Manvik was a few metres across the driveway,” Raj said. Mr Lal said when he picked Manvik, there was bleeding from his head.
Late yesterday afternoon when most families were celebrating Diwali, the Lal family members were gathered at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital awaiting doctors.
The Police investigation into the matter continues.