Mother of boy, 5, killed in crash:

THE mother of the five-year old boy who died after being struck by a car at Las Lomas Number 2 on Good Friday, yesterday made a heart-wrenching plea to parents to never take their eyes off their children, not even for a second.

A distraught Kumarie Samuel stared at a picture of her son, Hosea Samuel, as she prepared for his funeral yesterday.

Hosea, a student of the Las Lomas Number 2 Roman Catholic School, was killed instantly after being struck by a car on Friday.

The child had alighted from a taxi with his mother around 1 pm on Friday when the tragic incident occurred.

He reportedly darted across the road on seeing a male relative and was struck by a car.

He died immediately.

Yesterday, the entire community at Las Lomas Number 2 expressed grief over the death of the boy.

They added that the death caused widespread grief throughout the close-knit community of Las Lomas Number 2.

At the humble home of Kumarie Samuel, she was comforted by her husband Peter and her three-year-old son Simon.

Neighbours and relatives stared at a picture of the child and appeared lost for words as they assisted in the funeral which took place at 2.30 pm yesterday at the Power and Light Ministry.

The body of the child was taken to his home for private viewing and then removed to the church for the funeral.

Kumarie told Newsday that the light in her life was her five-year-old son Hosea.

She added that he was the only person who was able to cheer her up when she was depressed and he shared a special relationship with her.

She blames herself for not holding on to Hosea more tightly on Friday and advised parents to never let children out of their sight.

She said that while she has placed the matter in the hands of the Almighty, she feels that children should be protected from all harm.

The mother of another son, Simon, three, said that on Friday she visited relatives and then purchased some groceries.

As she alighted from the taxi with Hosea, she told him “stand up here and wait with Mummy to cross.” According to Kumarie, as they were waiting to cross, Hosea just slipped his hand away from hers and darted across the roadway.

“I just stood there in shock and horror on seeing my baby being crushed by a car,” said Kumarie.

As tears streamed down her face, the 42-year-old woman said she ran towards her son and cried out, “My baby, my baby, please wake up for Mummy.”

Young Hosea was rushed to the Chaguanas Health Centre but pronounced dead on arrival by Dr Rajendra Teelucksingh. The driver of the car was questioned and his vehicle seized.

So far in 2006, 62 people have been killed in road deaths.