RIDE OF DEATH

THE quiet rural village of Brazil in San Rafael, was plunged into mourning following the freak death of 12-year-old schoolboy Nathan Rose, who died instantly when he was run over by a van on Saturday night. Rose, who attended the Brazil RC School, was riding his bicycle which collided with another ridden by his brother. Rose fell in the road and into the direct path of the oncoming van. His small, bloodied body lay on the Brazil Main Road for over 20 minutes before it was taken to the Mortuary of the Arima Hospital. Rose’s father Terrance Rose along with Cpl Winston Gomez and PC Wellington of the San Rafael Police Station, visited the scene. The schoolboy’s death sent the road fatality rate to 119 so far for the year. According to police reports, around 8.15 pm, David,14, and his brother Nathan were riding their bikes along the Brazil Main Road, when the bicycle of David collided with Nathan’s, causing him (Nathan) to lose control.

He fell from the bicycle and onto the road, where he was struck by a van travelling north along Brazil Main Road, near the Jai Ramkissoon housing scheme. Rose reportedly died almost immediately from the head injuries. An autopsy will be carried out today at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. At Brazil Village yesterday, the Rose family was still in shock over the youngster’s untimely death. Theresa Hyde-Rose, the mother of the dead boy consoled her son David who witnessed the tragic death. As tears streamed down her face, Hyde-Rose said Nathan who was always assisting someone in the village, left home on Saturday with his brother David, to accompany one of their friends home at Brazil Lome Trace. She said that she only learned of the accident around 8.25 pm, when David came home and told her. The grieving mother of three said her husband Terrance rushed to the scene and took his already dead son to hospital, in company with the police. In the meantime, Hyde-Rose said she prayed to the Almighty, to spare the life of her child. However, her prayers went unanswered. When she was told the dreaded news that her son had died, Hyde-Rose said she went into a state of shock and was comforted by friends and neighbours. She said that her son was well known in the village and everyone who knew him, was plunged into grief and sadness. Newsday learned that the van which struck Nathan was taken to the San Rafael Police Station. The driver is assisting police in their investigations. Cpl Gomez is investigating.