Ratu Navula College players stop at scene of accident to pay their respects

Members of the Ratu Navula College Under 17 and Under 18 teams stopped over at scene of the horrific accident in Nabou in Nadroga last night to pay their respects.

Principal Setareki Merekula says it was the players decision to stop and pay their respects.

It was an emotional scene as the many of the players were on their knees with tears flowing from their eyes as they remembered their fellow student Marika Rauvi.

16-year-old student Marika Rauvi[Photo:Supplied]

Ratu Navula College students and players stop at scene of accident
to pay their respects[Photo:Aminiasi Taucilagi Gaunavou]

Ratu Navula College students and players stop at scene of accident 
​to pay their respects[Photo:Aminiasi Taucilagi Gaunavou]

Ratu Navula College and Ratu Kadavulevu School flags placed
at the scene of the accident in Sigatoka[Photo:Aminiasi Taucilagi Gaunavou]

Rauvi was one of six people that passed away in that accident.

Friends describe him as a happy person who loved playing rugby for his school.

He was a Year 10 student at Ratu Navula College.

Police say the six fatalities include the truck driver and one of his passengers as well as the driver of the private minibus and three of his passengers.

Two of the passengers in the private minibus were cousins and they passed away yesterday, leaving their families heartbroken.

Cousins Sainaila Ruitoka and Atilai Ruitoka were also on their way to watch the Super Deans Championship yesterday.

Sainaila Ruitoka and Atilai Ruitoka

The wife of 34-year-old Sanaila Ruitoka, Vilimaina Tabua Ruitoka heartbroken over the death of her husband.

She says it was just yesterday when he walked into the room and hugged her and their three children before he left for Suva.

Ruitoka says Sanaila was the perfect husband as even yesterday morning he helped her get ready for work and gave her a kiss on the forehead before she left.

Former Ratu Navula College student Atilai Ruitoka also passed away in that accident.

Close friends say he had a beautiful soul and loved playing rugby.

It was a truck belonging to Grace Farm, a private minibus and a private vehicle that was involved in the accident.

The truck was delivering vegetables after 9 yesterday morning when it is alleged it had a head on collision with the minibus that was overtaking.

Investigations into the accident continue.