Asaga crash kills seafarer

A 32-year-old father became Samoa’s third road fatality last weekend, in what was a tragic three days in terms of the road toll.

Toso Jnr Romney Taua, a father of two from the village of Salimu, Faga in Savai’i, died on Saturday morning when his vehicle crashed at Asaga.

Two other men were killed in different crashes in Upolu during the same weekend.

The deceased man is the husband of Ema Laupua Sale, and the fourth child of Taua Falaniko and Tu’i Falaniko from Faga.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, his sister, Eugenia Taua, described her brother as a loving man.

“Toso was a humble, loving and a caring brother,” she told the Samoa Observer.

“He was a loving father to his sons. He is a very quiet person and only speaks to those he knows.

“Toso is respected by many because of the way he acts towards other people and has a loving heart.”

Eugenia said her brother was taken way too soon.

“He had so many plans for the future not only for his little family but also our family as well.

“His motto in life was: Family first; he lived by that motto and he instilled it in us, his younger siblings.

“We solely miss him and our family will never be complete without him.”

The deceased was a seafarer.

The Samoa Shipping Services expressed their condolences on a Facebook post.

 “It is with our deepest sorrow that we learned of the sudden death of husband, father, and seafarer AB Toso Falaniko,” the post said.

“Toso is from Salimu in Faga Savaii who graduated from the Maritime Training School in 2006 with a Certificate in Maritime Training Rating 2.

“His initial embarkation was on the 24th November 2011 on MSC Daniella and was promoted at AB after his very first contract.

“Toso disembarked in July, 2019 and was confirmed to embark on MSC Eloane on December 28th 2019, however, he’s been called home by his maker.”

According to Police officers in Savai’i, the deceased was heavily intoxicated when his vehicle crashed.

He was making his way home after dropping off a friend at Pu’apu’a when disaster struck.

Villagers from Asaga rushed to the scene to try and pull out the deceased from his car. They contacted the Police station at Tuasivi.

He died minutes after the crash.