Being the first one at the scene, Mr Karan is still traumatised by the unfortunate incident that cost a life.
Scene of the accident in Calia back road, Navua where the rocks fell on the digger that trapped the late Vishal Raj(inset). Photo: Kelera Tuisawau
Vimal Karan, of Calia Back Road in Navua is trying to come to terms with the fatal incident after being the first person on the scene to help the late Vishal Raj of Nakaulevu.
The late Mr Raj was trapped inside a digger buried under a pile of rocks on Monday afternoon.
The 28-year-old was a mechanic.
According to a Police report, Mr Raj had gone to the site in Calia to conduct repairs on the digger. He was conducting a test drive when the tragic incident happened.
Being the first one at the scene, Mr Karan is still traumatised by the unfortunate incident that cost a life.
He was asleep when his mother screamed because of a loud noise from the back of their house where the excavation was happening.
“We all rushed out and saw that piles of huge rocks had fallen on the digger. I ran up to the hillside while my other family members called Police and the fire authority,” Mr Karan said.
He ran up to the digger just to see Mr Raj’s hand trying his best to wave underneath the pile of rocks.
“I came over to him and started moving out all the rocks I was able to lift away from his body. Some of the rocks were too heavy,” he said.
“I called out, ‘brother’ to see if he could respond, but I just saw his hand stop moving and could hear him take two slow breaths. Little did I know, that was his last.”
Another digger was brought in to clear the rocks and retrieve Mr Raj’s body.
Mr Karan has not been able to sleep well since.
“When I close my eyes to try and sleep, I can still see his face and hear his last breaths,” he said.
Efforts to reach Mr Raj’s close family have been futile as neighbors say Mr Raj and his wife had just moved to Navua.
Police investigations continue.
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