'I thought this was it, I am going to die', says rescued Hihifo grandmother [1]
Wednesday, October 7, 2009 - 23:25. Updated on Saturday, May 3, 2014 - 20:17.
By Linny Folau
Kakala Lefai (58) of Hihifo, Niuatoputapu, is recovering in Nuku'alofa's Vaiola Hospital with an injured knee after surviving the devastating tsunami that in one terrible moment took the lives of her 60-year-old husband Sosefo, and two young grandchildren aged one and two years old.
The shocked wife, mother and grandmother told Matangi Tonga Online this afternoon, she "wished to God" that she had the strength of the world to rescue her husband whom she heard moaning for help after they were struck and thrashed around by the wave on the morning of September 30.
She recollected in a soft voice that she was at their home with her husband and two grandchildren, when they felt the earthquake and soon afterwards heard and saw the first wave coming inland. They hopped into the backseat of a neighbour's car to flee along the main road, heading toward higher ground.
"As we were fleeing the vehicle broke down and some of the passengers who were cramped inside got out and ran but we remained. Then it started again and as we made a dash for it but then it broke down again," she said.
"I did not get out of the car because my husband who had a stroke was limping and there was our two young grandchildren we were holding, so I stayed still because I was not going to leave them."
Kalala said suddenly they were flung up by the wave, which came over the top of the vehicle.
"The last thing I remembered was being thrashed around under water together with the debris of timber, trees and rooftops and I thought this was it, I am going to die," she said.
But then she felt she was being thrown on top of a tree, and she clung to it.
"I heard my husband shout for help but I just couldn't budge because I was injured. How I wish to God I had an almighty strength so I could rescue him," said the grief-stricken wife.
Kalala said her next recollection of the events was someone coming to help her down from the tree and the water was still up to her waist but the waves had stopped.
"I never expected this would happen and I wish it did not, but it did and now I have lost my husband and two grandchildren." She said their bodies were found later in the day and were immediately buried.
Kalala, who is cared for by her niece, Kalolina Quick, at Vaiola Hospital, was one of three people who were flown down to the capital on Sunday on board a plane chartered by the LDS Church. She is recovering from her injuries.