Former Prime Minister says Prince Tu’ipelehake’s death a great loss for all of Tonga
Tonga’s former Prime Minister, Baron Vaea, has this afternoon officially announced on Radio Tonga Prince Tu’ipelehake
and his wife, Princess Kaimana Tuku’aho, died in a road accident yesterday at Menlo Park in San Francisco..
Baron Vaea says their Royal Highnesses were on an official visit to the United States, as part of the public
consultations among the Tongan community by the National Committee for political reforms.
Baron Vaea said the deaths are a great loss to the royal family, chiefly traditional clans, members of the nobility and
the people of Tonga. Baron Vaea also said that an official announcement on the details of the funeral arrangements would
be made on completion of all necessary work on the deceased in the US.
Meanwhile, American television says an 18 year old woman racing another vehicle clipped the Prince’s SUV causing it to
roll a number of times.