Widow of fallen fireman recruit waits for release of body [1]
Friday, May 26, 2017 - 19:44. Updated on Friday, May 26, 2017 - 19:53.
By Caroline Manu Moli and Linny Folau
The grieving family of Oscar Taione (31), a fireman recruit who collapsed during a training run at Pelehake and died a week ago on May 19, said today they still don't fully understand what happened to him and they have not set a funeral date, because his body has not been released to them.
Today's ceremony at the Taliai Military Camp for the 61st Basic Recruit Intake of HMAF, Prisons and Fire Services, should have been a happy occasion for Lupe Taione, but instead of enjoying a celebration she was dressed in funeral mats and mournfully took her husband's place for the intake photos.
The young couple had been married for just over a year and cherished a beautiful five-months old son, Filipe.
Oscar, a healthy, young recruit, would have been among 75 recruits taking part in the March Out Parade, marking the completion of their three-months training today. He was one of five firemen recruits enrolled in the combined military training.
Lupe told Matangi Tonga that her husband did not have any health problems that she knew of. “He was not sickly,” she said.
Since learning of his sudden death, she has only been allowed to see him twice, first to identify him and again yesterday, Thursday, May 25.
"I still don’t know what happened to him, they have not released any information, [and won't] until the post mortem is done. We have not even set a date for the funeral yet," she said.
Lupe was supported by her husband's family at the Taliai Camp event at Fua'amotu today.
Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala during his address extended his condolences to the widow and family for their loss