Bestman killed in crash hours before wedding

What was supposed to be a special Valentine’s day occasion turned out to be tragic after an accident claimed the life of  Sangre Grande school teacher Ananand Baboolal. Baboolal, 21, of Tamana also known as “Bob” was expected to be the Bestman for his best friend Ananand Ramdial’s wedding carded for yesterday. However, instead of escorting his friend down the isle Baboolal lost his life when the van driven by the groom-to-be crashed into a concrete wall at Ice Factory, Warrenville, Guaico,  Friday night. Baboolal, a Math teacher at Modern Business College, Sangre Grande died on arrival at the Sangre Grande Hospital, while another friend, Steve Mahabir, of Robinson Lane in Guaico, is warded at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital in critical condition. Mahabir suffered two broken legs in addition to other injuries. The groom-to-be received minor injuries and was treated at the Sangre Grande Hospital and discharged.

Police reports revealed that around 11.30 pm on Friday a white panel van,  registration TDE 4556, driven by Ananand Ramdial (the groom) of Coalmine, Sangre Grande, in company with two other occupants — Ananand Baboolal and Steve Mahabir — was proceeding West along the Eastern Main Road when on reaching the vicinity of Warrenville, Guaico, lost control and the vehicle ran into the concrete walls of a nearby Ice Factory. Baboolal, who was sitting on the left side of the vehicle, and Mahabir who was sitting in the middle, had to be pulled out of the vehicle by villagers. They were all taken by a passing vehicle to the Sangre Grande Hospital where Baboolal was pronounced dead on arrival by Dr Lantana. He received injuries to his head, chest and arm and was bleeding through his nose. Mahabir, the other occupant, had both his legs broken and other injuries. He was treated and rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he is warded in critical condition. Ramdial received multiple injuries and was treated and discharged.

Ramdial, along with the deceased Baboolal and Mahabir, were making their way to Arima to assist the bride in decorating her home. Baboolal was described by friends and students at the Modern Business College as kind, caring, loving and jovial to all. His mother Pinky Baboolal is yet to believe that her son died. Visibly emotional, Boyer Ramrattan said his son called him early that day and told him that he would be late, as he was going to help with the preparation for his friend’s wedding — only to get the news from Cpl Baran that his son had died in an accident. Baboolal is the youngest of four children. He leaves to mourn his brother Anil who is a police officer attached to Sangre Grande Station, sisters Jemma and Sharmilla, who celebrated her birthday last Thursday. Cpl Monesh Baran and PCs Neil Narine Jonathan Glasglow of the Traffic Branch in Sangre Grande visited the scene. Cpl Baran is continuing inquiries.