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AAM Tawanang tried to coax Opaia Beia Karutake, her 15-year-old son, to go home on Tuesday afternoon. The Central College Lautoka fourth former politely refused.

She returned home alone and that would be the last time she would see him alive.

On Wednesday morning, she received word that Opaia had passed away, the victim of a tragic car accident.

"I went and begged him to come home on Tuesday afternoon but he kept saying 'later mum later'. Maybe if I had tried harder, he would still be here," she tearfully said.

Her husband, Tonga Karutake, said Opaia was a "joyful but mischievous boy".

"He loved hanging around his friends all the time, especially with Tabuia, the driver who was also killed in the accident. "If we asked him to stay home and do some work around the house, as soon as his friends would call he would just run off. He was a typical teenager, his friends and having fun came first before everything else but I still loved him because he was my son," he said.

Tonga Karutake junior, Opaia's elder sibling, said his brother was a fun-loving type of person, who had a keen interest in music.

"He was really into music in a big way. He could play guitar, ukulele and a little bit of keyboard," he said.

The Karutake family is awaiting police investigations into the accident to be completed before announcing funeral details.

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Comment by Mareweniti Singh on September 7, 2010 at 6:51pm
Dear Amm and Beia,
Our hearts are saddened by loss of your son Opaia, and our thoughts and prayers are with you. May you have memories for comfort, friends for support, and flowers to ease your sadness.
God bless your family
Comment by melinda christopher on September 3, 2010 at 7:40pm
Aam karaua nanom......there is always a reason why God is doing that! .......Farewell to him and tell him to give my regards to Teirabung

GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY
Comment by Biara Touakin on September 2, 2010 at 5:12pm
Aam ko bon riai ni kairoroa natim ba ena riai ni mena irarikim n taai nako. Don't just leave them as they wish. ONCE A PERSON LEAVES HE WILL NEVER RETURN. So always keep on hold to your children and always remember them when they are away from you.
Comment by Biara Touakin on September 2, 2010 at 5:01pm
Taeka naba n rainanoanga nakoimi Aaam ma Beia ibukin te kabuanibai ae riki. Ara bubuti kam na kamatoa riki ami kairiri. Tai kaakia ataei ba ana uoti nanoia, kairoroia ba ana tiku irarikim n taai nako. May the Lord give us peace.
Comment by Asinta Touakin on September 2, 2010 at 3:34pm
:'(

such a sad story! Rest in peace natiu / maneu!!! missing you already!!

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