Late Josua Lalauvki

The murder trial of two former police officers continues in the High Court.

It was revealed that the injury suffered by 26-year-old local rugby player Josua Lalauvki was rare.

The seventh prosecution witness, Minister for Health and the then Consultant Surgeon Dr. Ifereimi Waqainabete took the stand in the Suva High Court this morning.

Dr. Waqainabete said that he was at home on 2nd September when he received a call from the hospital about a man who came in with an abdominal injury.

Dr. Waqainabete said an urgent CT scan was done on Lalauvaki,  the result of which suggested the deceased had a rupture on the duodenum which is the first part of the intestine.

He also testified that Lalauvaki had a pancreatic injury which was not apparent when he was initially brought to the hospital.

However a week later, there were changes in Lalauvaki’s pancreas following another scan confirming that there was an injury.

During treatment, a team including Australian experts agreed that the injury was rare and the blunt abdominal trauma has very high mortality.

Dr. Waqainabete testified that a direct force like a kick, a punch, stomping or a traffic accident could cause such trauma.

Dr. Waqainabete said Lalauvaki was on life support in the Intensive Care Unit where he passed away a month later.

Kelepi Duri Tautaumacala Kolinisau and Ratu Selema Steven Dennis Tikoenaburevere face one count each of murder.

It’s alleged the two officers assaulted 26-year-old Lalauvaki outside a nightclub in Suva on September 2nd, last year.

Lalauvaki later died at Suva’s CWM hospital on October 11th as a result of injuries he sustained from the alleged assault.

The trial will continue this afternoon.