Virisila Silivere has been hailed a hero by her community after she saved three children and three adults from drowning last week.
The Savulili, Seaqaqa resident risked her life as she swam to a submerging vehicle that was being swept away by strong currents during the heavy flooding in most parts of the Northern Division on Friday.
The 36-year-old says she was supposed to go to a funeral with her family, but her husband went and she decided to stay home.
She says she had just finished tending to their animal farm when she sat on their porch to take a break.
Silivere says she saw a white car in the water with the driver getting off looking like he was checking out the depth of the water and was looking confused whether he could cross.
She says the driver walked back to the car and as soon as he got in, it was then she saw that the car started being swept away slowly by the strong currents.
She says she ran towards the car as it was starting to sink.
Silivere says the car got stuck on a big tree, and the driver was calling out to her for help.
The Seaqaqa woman says she never had second thoughts as she swam to the car and pulled them out one by one as the children were crying and frightened.
She says it was the cries of the children from inside the car that made her jump into the water without hesitation to try and save them.
Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Lynda Tabuya says Silivere deserves a bravery award for saving those people.
She further reiterated that adults should stop being reckless and putting children’s lives at risk.
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