Comatose drag-racing victim shows signs of life

There was a glimmer of hope yesterday for the family of Arun Ramdeen, 14, who was the most critically injured of 11 youths, who were hurt after they were struck by a drag racer. The incident occurred during drag racing along a south highway on Saturday night.

Since the accident, Ramdeen, 14, has been in a coma and warded at the Intensive Care Unit at San Fernando General Hospital. But yesterday, police sources said, the critically injured teenager showed signs of response and movement as he lay on his hospital bed. According to hospital officials, Ramdeen suffered massive head injuries. Investigators have taken statements from most of the 11 victims of the crash, two of whom are sons of Fyzabad MP Chandresh Sharma. Sharma’s sons — Moonish, 13, and Devaan, 10 — were among a crowd of people watching the illegal drag racing along the Rienzi Kirton Highway on Saturday night when one of the drag-racing drivers lost control and ploughed into the spectators. Scores of on-lookers received minor cuts and bruises while 11 persons were rushed to the San Fernando hospital. The 19-year-old driver of the crashed car was detained and has since given a statement to the police. Cpl Anthony Wolfe, of  San Fernando Traffic Branch, is continuing investigations.