Tributes, condolences for couple killed in accident

AS news of the deaths of a Princes Town couple spread yesterday, people, including strangers, paid tributes and expressed condolences to the bereaved family.

Deokaran Panilal, 61, and his wife Rookmin, 50, died at about 1. 30 am yesterday when their car slammed into a utility pole at Ben Lomond Village, Williamsville. They were on their way home after visiting relatives, and Deokaran was driving. They lived at Garth Road and Panilal worked as a taxi driver along the Williamsville/ Princes Town route.

Their deaths pushed the road fatality figure to 111.

Councillor for the area, Vashti Sookhoo, said she was unsure of the circumstances surrounding the accident and expressed condolences to the family.

"It is a sad situation. They are very quiet and humble people. I don’t know him to drive reckless, so it is strange that the accident took place. The husband was also self-employed. I first met the couple while campaigning," Sookhoo said. This year marks her fifth as the local government representative for the electoral district of Ben Lomond /Hardbargain/Williamsville.

On social media, tributes poured in on various sites. One Facebook user posted: "RIP to both of you! You all were truly a blessed couple!" Another said: "So sad, may God give the rest of family the strength to carry on."

People described Panilal as a "respectable" and "nice" taxi driver.

Ben Lomond residents reported that about 1.30 am the crash awakened them, and when they checked they found Deokaran and Rookmin dead inside the blue Datsun 280C. No one else was injured.

Gasparillo police, including PCs Guerrero and Ramcharan, visited the scene. A district medical officer visited and ordered the removal of the bodies to the San Fernando General Hospital mortuary. An autopsy is expected to be done today. At the family’s home, relatives declined to speak.

Gasparillo police are investigating.