Granny killed by jet ski

A grandmother looking on at the activities at a Penal waterpark on Easter Monday was killed after she was struck by a jet ski that went out of control. 

Boodhanie Heeralal, 55, of Seurage Trace, Debe, died on Monday at the Accident and Emergency Department of the San Fernando General Hospital even though doctors worked furiously to save her life. According to Heeralal’s daughter, Patricia Samaroo, her elderly mother was pitched some 15 feet into the air after she was struck before crashing to the ground. The accident occurred at the Jovi’s water park at Well Road, Charlo Village, on Monday afternoon around 5.30. Heeralal had gone with her daughters and their family for an evening of fun and relaxation.

Police reports said that a 19-year-old man of Savonetta, a customer at the park, had rented a Yamaha twin-carburettor “Wave Runner” and was driving it around the water facility when he lost control of the recreational vehicle and crashed on an embankment, striking Heeralal and Dianne Bispath, her 10-year-old grandaughter. Bispath and the driver of the jet ski were treated and discharged with minor injuries. Samaroo said that the owner of the water park, Sookhoo Seegobin, had stayed with the family throughout the ordeal and had offered to pay the funeral expenses. The family has declined his offer and will finance the last rites of their mother.

For Samaroo, her mother’s death was an unfortunate answer to her prayers. She said yesterday: “I always prayed to Lord Shiva never to let my mother suffer and die from sickness because I could not bear to see her lie down in a bed and die. But I could never believe that my mother would pass on his way.” Contacted yesterday, See-gobin disclosed that the minimum age limit to drive the water ski was 12-years. The water park was closed for business yesterday as a mark of respect, Seegobin said. Samaroo recalled that the family had arrived at the facility and not even 20 minutes had passed when the incident occurred.  She explained that her mother had taken Bispath for a walk, and from the river bank they were watching the other visitors. Other realtives were “liming” on the benches. “Dianne wanted to walk on the other side, but Ma insisted that they walk over on the side facing the setting sun, which was lit more brightly,” Samaroo told Newsday. 

Within moments of stopping on the river bank, Heeralal and Bispath were hit by the jet ski. “We rushed down to see what happened. Ma was unconscious on the ground”, Samaroo said. Relatives said that even as the crowds gathered around the injured, the rides continued around the park. The Emergency Health Services were alerted and Heeralal was rushed to hospital, but doctors could do nothing for her. The family said yesterday that the driver of the boat had not contacted them. Investigators said they were continuing their inquiries, and are uncertain if charges will be laid against the driver of the jet ski. Cpl Minors of the Siparia CID is leading investigations.