Man dies during Labour Day walk-a-thon

LABOUR DAY celebrations in Fyzabad were marred yesterday by the death of a 58-year-old man while he was participating in a planned walk-a-thon from San Fernando to Charlie King Junction. Steven Seenath, of La Romaine, almost made it to the finish line with over 200 walkers, but collapsed on the side of the road just after Avocat Junction around 9 am. Seenath was taking part in a 20 km walk-a-thon as part of the annual Labour Day celebrations staged by the Oilfield Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) under the umbrella organisation — Federation of Independent Trade Unions and NGOs (FITUN).

A marathon, from San Fernando to Charlie King Junction is held each year to kick off the day’s celebration, but this year a walk-a-thon was staged which began around 6 am in front of OWTU’s Paramount Building, Circular Road, San Fernando. A report stated that Seenath made it to Avocat Junction, but as he continued walking, he collapsed on the side of the road. A spectator at the event, Modhan Moonilal, told Newsday he noticed Seenath slowing down his pace. “He then take a few breaths and collapsed on the side of the road,” Moonilal said.

Members of a La Romaine walk-a-thon group to which Seenath belonged, rushed to his  assistance. The Fyzabad Police were notified while Avocat Road resident Pundit Baldath Seegobin, telephoned the EHS Ambulance. However, before help could arrive, Seenath died at the side of the road. Police believe he may have suffered a heart attack. However, they will await the results of an autopsy before making their final report on the incident. Seenath was described as an avid walk-a-thon sportsman who together with the group, trained often at Skinner’s Park, San Fernando.