Four killed as car crashes into bridge

CARMEN MANGAROO, 58, her 60-year-old husband, Frankie; their 34-year-old son, Roger, and 21-year old neighbour, Salisha Mohammed, were killed instantly when the car in which they were travelling crashed into a bridge on the Churchill-Roosevelt High-way, near the Santa Rosa Racetrack.

According to police reports they were returning to their Malabar home early yesterday, after attending a cooking night at the Mausica home when the accident occurred.

Three other occupants of the ill-fated car, 11 year-old primary school student,  Nisha Moham-med; the driver, Glen Mangaroo, 33, and 15-year-old Shaliza Mohammed  cheated death, and are now warded in serious condition at the Arima Hospital.

At Mangaroo's Terrace  and Ajim Baksh Avenue, Malabar,  two families were in mourning over the four deaths.

Residents of Malabar all expressed their deep sorrow when news of the accident spread.

Reports revealed that around 1.30 am, Glen Mangaroo, of Malabar Main Road, Malabar, was driving his car, a white Hyundai Sonata, east along the CR Highway, when on reaching the Santa Rosa racetrack, he lost control of the vehicle and collided with a bridge.

Officers of the Arima Police Station were summoned to the scene and on arrival they saw fire officers attempting to free three occupants of the car who were still alive.

Fire officers under Fire Station Officer Telesford were able to free Glen Mangaroo, the driver, Nisha Baksh, 11, a student of the Malabar Primary School and Shaliza Mohammed 15, a student of the St Augustine Senior Comprehensive School.

They were taken by EHS ambulance to the Arima Hospital where they were treated and warded in serious condition.

District Medical Officer Dr Kevin Antoine was summoned to the scene and he pronounced the four other occupants of the car dead.

Guests at the cooking night said that Carmen who was a chef at Arawak Chicken had been invited by the Ramkissoon family to assist in cooking the meals for guests on Saturday night.

Indra Jeboudsingh,  daughter of Carmen Mangaroo said that her mother was one of the best cooks in the area, and often cooked at weddings because of her skills.

She added that she still cannot believe she has lost her mother, her father, and a brother.

Carmen described her family as being caring, loving and well respected in Malabar.

As tears swelled her eyes, she said her parents were also parents to several young persons in the area.

She revealed that when she was told of the deaths she remained in shock and up until yesterday, she  was in denial.

Jacqueline Mangaroo, the wife of Roger and mother of his four children said that her husband was a part time jeweller who wanted to ensure the best for his family.

She added that when her husband left home on Saturday, she never thought that it was the last time that she would see him alive. He was the sole breadwinner in the family.

Relatives and neighbours of the victims cried openly and comforted each other at the house of mourning.

At Ajim Baksh Avenue, Hafeeza Mohammed, the mother of Salisha who also died in the accident wept uncontrollably.

Relatives claimed that Salisha who worked at Tampico Enterprises had been invited to the cooking night, and she together with her sisters Shaliza and Nisha went to the event.

Relatives said they were praying for the speedy recovery of Shaliza and Nisha, two of the three survivors of the crash.

They too were unable to come to terms with the deaths.

At the Arima Police Station the mangled wreck of the car was parked at the back of the station.

The road death toll for the year now stands at 27.

Police officers told Newsday that they are awaiting a statement from the driver of the car to find out exactly what happened.

Investigations are continuing.