Funeral

‘Asipeli Palaki, 53, was receiving treatment for kidney problems at a hospital in Suva, Fiji.

Radio Tonga reports he died on Sunday, January 15.

A spokesman for the Ministry says they are arranging a special program for the arrival of his body at the airport.

The funeral cortege will be transferred to the Vaiola Mortuary and a prayer service will be conducted as is customary to such occasions.

Asipeli is survived by his wife Lotukalafi Palaki and two children.

RNZ reports about 30 people are accompanying the bodies of Uloupini and Koli Vaipulu, Sione Teulaka and Samuela Taukatelata on the flight from Auckland to Fuaʻamotu International Airport.

The men were killed when their car was hit by a logging truck as they left work at Aongatete Kiwifruit Coolstore.

Many of their workmates are not on the flight today because they are staying in New Zealand to keep working and earn money for the bereaved families.

In a moving funeral service, late Doctor Alphonse Rongap Snr's daughter, Dr Violet Rongap, said her dad was a simple and down-to-earth doctor who respected all he knew.

She said many of his studies and courses he took and the profession he had gone through were all for his children.

"What he gained during his training whilst serving respective hospitals in the country were for the betterment of the children.

"And through this, he had a lot of friends. He was so simple and humble,” she said through tear-filled eyes.

Finally, she spotted the man she'd been waiting for. She stepped out of her car, and her husband put his hands on his head in horror.

"Is it my eyes?" she recalled him saying. "Is it a ghost?"

"Surprise! I'm still alive!" she replied.