Two friends die in Tunapuna crash

Two Longdenville friends were killed instantly when their vehicle crashed headon into a maxi-taxi near Moosai’s Hardware in Tunapuna, around 9 pm on Tuesday. Khemraj Chablal, 37, and Anil Asgar Ali, 35, suffered massive head injuries in the crash, while seven occupants of the maxi-taxi were treated at hospital and discharged. The two deaths pushed the road fatality figure for the year to 39.

Reports revealed that mechanic Chablal was in his blue Mitsubishi Lancer with truck driver Ali heading west along the Eastern Main Road, when he overtook PBK 8911. He sideswiped that car, lost control of his vehicle and crashed head-on into a red band maxi-taxi driven by Kenneth Thompson. Chablal and Ali both died on the spot. Officers of the Tunapuna Police Station led by Cpl Mark Maraj and officers of the Tunapuna Fire Station were at the scene along with District Medical Officer, Dr Hayden Mohammed.

The bodies were pulled from the mangled wreck of the car and ordered removed to the Port-of-Spain mortuary.  The accident caused a massive traffic pile-up along the Eastern Main Road. At Dam Road in Longdenville, Khemraj’s mother Leela Chablal said her son was a quiet and honest person who spent his life giving to the poor and needy. He left home on Tuesday, telling relatives he was going to Tacarigua to feed the poor. The well-known mechanic, and father of a four-year-old daughter, picked up his friend Anil Ali, and they left for Tacarigua. After completing their charitable work, the two decided to go to the Caura River for a swim. They spent most of the day at the river. It was while returning home that the two were killed. Chablal was described as a very careful driver, and relatives claim that both deaths shocked them.

At the Longdenville Old Road home of Anil Ali, his father Hydar said his son attended the Hindu mandir every chance he got, and was a good husband to his wife Mala and his two step-children. The 35-year-old truck driver was a favourite in his neighbourhood and was described as a gem. He spent his free time listening to music. While preparing for a wake yesterday, his brothers said Anil will be cremated today after a funeral service at his home. ACP Mobile Nazamul Hosein yesterday expressed concern over the spate of road fatalities and has again called on drivers to avoid excessive speed.