‘Miracle’ baby survives killer crash

THE 16-month old toddler, who narrowly escaped a horrific vehicular accident which claimed the life of her grandmother and critically injured her grandfather, was discharged from San Fernando General Hospital yesterday. According to reports, Shamshoor Ali, 47, together with his wife Mairoon Ali, 44, and granddaughter, Farisha, 16-months-old, were returning from the Debe Market on Saturday, when a truck ploughed into their grey Nissan Primera  along the Gasparillo Main Road, 50 metres from the Petrotrin oil refinery east gate. The driver of the truck was reportedly overtaking a long line of traffic when he slammed into the Primera. Mairoon was killed on the spot while Shamshoor sustained head and other injuries and remains warded in critical condition at the Intensive Care Unit of the San Fernando General Hospital.

Described by police as a “Miracle baby,” Farisha sustained a broken right leg along with other minor bruises. With preparations still underway for Mairoon’s funeral, her daughter, Sheriffa Ali, 24, said the family was still coming to terms with their  loss, but were very thankful that baby Farisha (Sheriffa’s daughter) had survived the crash. “I am grateful that my daughter survived,” a relieved Sheriffa Ali told Newsday yesterday. She recalled that her parents had picked up their granddaughter and went to purchase items for the upcoming Eid celebrations. She described her mother as a “warm and loving person” who would do anything for her family. Ali said that her father, Shamshoor, had recently undergone heart surgery and her parents were planning to vacation in Barbados later in the month. “We are praying that my father survives this because to lose them both at this time would be unbearable,” she said.