Woman loses life during leisure trip to the falls
A WELL-KNOWN tourism officer lost her life during a leisure trip with work colleagues to the Tuvaruhu waterfalls behind Honiara yesterday.
The body of the Late Stella Lucas, a senior employee of Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB), was found offshore near the South Sea Evangelical Church (SSEC) compound later in the afternoon.
Last night, police were still searching for a colleague of the Late Ms Lucas, who was also on the trip.
The Late Ms Lucas was accompanied on the leisure trip by three work colleagues (two male and a female) and a male tour guide.
Honiara City Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Chief Superintendent Alfred Uiga said the Late Ms Lucas was carried away by the strong running water of the Mataniko River during the heavy rain experienced yesterday afternoon.
Mr Uiga said his officers were dispatched to the Tuvaruhu waterfalls to search for Mrs Lucas’ colleagues after her body was discovered.
“During the search, our officers were able to locate two of the men and one woman; all locals and they were taken to the National Referral Hospital for medical checks.
“One male is still missing and searches are ongoing,” Mr Uiga stated.
“At this stage, the cause of death of the woman (Mrs Lucas) is not confirmed but it appears at this early stage she may have drowned in the river.
“Investigators and forensic officers attended the scene and the investigation is continuing,” Chief Superintendent Uiga stated.
“I appeal to members of the public in Honiara, more especially at Tuvaruhu area, to assist police with any information of the whereabouts of the male who is still missing,” he added.
Colleagues of the Late Ms Lucas were terribly shocked when they learned of the disaster.
“We were all devastated at Stella’s death. We just could not believe this has happened,” a work colleague of Ms Lucas told the Solomon Star last night at the hospital morgue.
She said the Late Ms Lucas was accompanied on the hike by three colleagues and a tour guide.
“They started their hike to the waterfalls at around 8am,” the colleague said.
“In fact I was in contact with her via Facebook during the morning after she uploaded some of their photos while up on the hills.”
Yesterday’s weather was fine in the morning.
But by lunch hour, the clouds built up and a heavy downpour came in the afternoon.
The Mataniko river flooded heavily.
By LESLEY SANGA
