15-5-2007

DEATH OF YOUNG WOMAN RAISES MORE CONCERN ABOUT DRIVING

Community leaders who spoke at the funeral of 19 year old motor vehicle accident victim Tuan Teokotai Areai on Monday called for more parental advice to their children not to speed when driving, not to drink and drive and be more cautious. Areai, due to start a permanent position with the ANZ Bank Cook Islands on the day of her funeral died in hospital early on Saturday morning after a head on collision on Friday night with another motorcycle driver. The other driver, a man, received serious injuries. Although Police is still investigating the case it's understood alcohol was involved. According to Areai's devastated grandfather Paraia Vainerere his grandaughter was hit from the rear which damaged her right ribcage. She was rushed to hospital where they x-rayed her and discovered that her liver had been punctured. Arrangements to refer her to New Zealand for emergency treatment were stalled when she told her mother "she wanted to go home". She died soon after. Tuan's grand uncle Tupapa village Chief Tepuretu Mataiapo Dan Kamana told family and friends who attended her village service at the meeting house, before her body was taken to the Avarua CICC church, that he and other elders were very saddened by this great loss. "Still so young and God only knows what the future held for her," he said. "Let her passing be a warning to all parents and teenagers of our village to be mindful of what can happen if we are not cautious on the roads. We must work together for the sake of our young people." A very close family member and friend Maryanne Poaru who is president of the Tupapa Netball club spoke of Tuan as an upcoming player. "She played so well as goal-keeper or goal-attack and would shout out encouragement from the other end if the shooter failed to net the ball" Poaru said. Not so long ago Tuan was able to play for the reserves team. Aunty Maryanne as they call her also remembered Tuan's "always smiling face." A senior officer of the Girls Brigade Association which Tuan was a member of ever since pre-school age told the crowd at her grave site that Tuan was a dedicated brigadier who achieved high standards and would have been a receipient of the Duke of Edinburgh award soon. Students from Tereora college sang her a farewell song at the grave site and Tuan's father Jimmy bid her their last goodbye with a traditional chant: Aere ra e tei akaperepereia e matou Tei inangaroia e matou Ka oki kite enua rangi Ka oki ki Avaiki Aere ra! Aere ra! Farewell precious one Dearly loved by all Return to the Skyfather Return to Avaiki Farewel Farewell!