Nkosi Blackman mourns Lee’s death

YOUTH FOOTBALLER Nkosi Blackman, who was involved in a serious accident last year that claimed the life of his friend Lester Salick, said yesterday he was shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of his colleague, former Under-20 football captain Marvin Lee, who died on Sunday at the Arima Hospital.

Blackman, who was in a coma for two weeks following the accident last February, has recovered fully and is back at school at St Benedict’s College, La Romain. He is also on the school’s football team. Blackman said Lee’s death came as a surprise to him. Blackman said he had a lot of respect and admiration for the Under-20 captain, especially after Lee visited him when he was in a serious condition at hospital and offered support and words of encouragement.

Even though 21-year-old Lee was paralyzed from the neck down due to spinal injuries sustained when he collided with an American striker during an Under-20 World Cup qualifying match, Blackman said he believed Lee was going to walk again one day. “I thought he would have come back. It is very sad, especially for his mom who just getting over his football injury and now this.” Recounting that Lee had always said he would be walking in heaven with God, Blackman said: “I believe he is walking with God because he was a very good person and I want to extend my sympathies to his family and I hope for the best.” With regards to his own near death experience, Blackman said he was moving on with his life.