President buckles under the heat

The small canopied jeep from which Richards was inspecting the various arms of three protective services had to be driven away on the first occasion and was immediately surrounded by police cars, an ambulance and the President’s own car in readiness to remove him from the savannah.

The President recovered quickly on both occasions and continued the inspection of the parade.

However, after a wipe of the face and some water, a smiling Richards returned to the base and a lusty round of applause erupted from the huge crowd.

Not long afterwards, however, the President, with Dillon clutching him, once again had to be driven from the base. Security again rushed into action, but by this time the vehicle carrying the President merely made a circle before returning to the base and another round of applause from the crowd to spur on the President, who remained in position until his official departure time.

He said later that he had become dehydrated.

However, the official President’s vehicle and escorts were parked in a position for immediate departure in the event that the President buckled for a third time. One of Richards’ doctors also took up a position just in front of the forecourt to closely monitor him. When Richards was leaving the savannah to the cheers of the crowd gathered at the eastern end of the savannah, he waved in acknowledgement of their support.

A call to the St Clair Medical Centre revealed that Richards had foregone a check-up, knowing that the incident was due to the intense heat of the sun.

Later, in an interview with Newsday at the Police Administration Building, a composed and smiling Richards said he was feeling much better.

“It was just a little incident of dehydration but of course it was extremely hot and a little bit of low blood pressure,” the President said. “I have recovered and I want to thank all for the concern shown.

“Well like you I am a good fighter,” said the President jokingly. Richards’ wife, First Lady Dr Jean Ramjohn-Richards, said, “I wasn’t too concerned.

I realised it was the heat so as soon as he rehydrated himself I knew he would be alright again, but I didn’t expect him to come back out so quickly. But he’s also very determined,” she said.

Richards mingled freely with the guests at the Police Administration Building yesterday during drinks in his honour, and later addressed the guests at the Police Administration Building.

Among the dignitaries who witnessed the happenings with anxiety at the savannah were the President’s wife, his daughter Maxine, Prime Minister Patrick Manning and his wife, Senator Hazel Manning, acting Chief Justice Roger Hamel-Smith and his wife, and National Security Minister Martin Joseph.

This is not the first time a Trinidad and Tobago President has had difficulties at the Independence Day parade. Former President Arthur NR Robinson also had medical problems as a result of the long periods in the sun during his presidency. The heat also caused some difficulty for one of the President’s foot escorts, Officer Nero, who had to be replaced earlier during the parade. Nevertheless, the parade went on as normal with the detachment of the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service being most impressive while they marched to the strains of “Fire Fire.”

Equally impressive was the mechanical unit of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force. It capped off its display with two helicopters manoeuvring in synchronised fashion, much to the delight of the crowd. Before this, a blimp lingered overhead in surveillance mode, but did not make a dramatic appearance in the parade as it did last year.

The 21-gun salute produced a reaction from the crowd after each shot went off, then, with each band playing a chutney song, the parade marched out of the savannah.

Those bands included the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment Band, the Police Service Band, the Cadet Force Band and the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service Band, playing “Doi Festival.”