(Trinidad Express) A Princes Town man lost his life while attempting to save his cousins at Mayaro Beach yesterday morning.
Rajeev Chaitram, 33, referred to as “Pa”, had accompanied his family on a trip to the beach near St Ann’s Road.
He drowned trying to save his relatives who had encountered difficulties in the water.
Speaking with reporters yesterday, relatives said Chaitram noticed his cousins were being overcome by the waves and ventured in to save them around 6.20 a.m.
But he also got into difficulties, and when he was brought to shore, he was unresponsive.
“The fishermen came with a big plastic raft and buoy, and he went in, too, and helped his cousins, and they took about ten minutes to bring them back in.
“When they came in, I saw Rajeev was looking bad with froth in his mouth, and I started CPR. (People at) a beach house were very helpful, and a van drove him to the health centre and the doctor said he had taken in water,” a relative, who asked not to be named, said.
The father of four was taken to the Mayaro District Health Facility where he was pronounced dead.
The family had decided to visit the beach for the holiday weekend as part of a group of approximately 25 people, the relative said.
The water at that time did not appear rough and there were few waves, he added.
“The water was normal, it looked like glass,” he said.
Chaitram, who worked as a fitter, was described as fun-loving and easy-going.
A member of the Cedar Hill United Cricket Team, he was remembered as an excellent sportsman and community activist.
His grieving mother, Tara Chaitram, told reporters yesterday she was barely coping with the news of his passing.
He was preparing to take his children back to school tomorrow, she said.
“When they told me I had no small son again, I said what? I couldn’t take that one. I asked why? I was thinking of my little grandchildren, what would happen to them,” she said at the family’s Cedar Hill home.
He was widely mourned on social media by heartbroken friends and family.
“My brother, Rajeev, I really don’t know what to say right now! I don’t know if I believe this news. You have me really shocked brother. Never thought you would have left my life so soon brother.
“I will never find or have someone in my life that I could ever be real again with bro except you. You always had my back since I was a baby and up till last week you told me you’re coming to see me soon. I’m lost for words brother,” one person wrote.
“This is so heartbreaking you got your wings, you held on so tight to my son grooming him and teaching him how to be a man encouraging him of the goodness of life now you’re with the almighty above. I am just speechless. I just wish this never happened pa bro,” another wrote.
Cedar Hill councillor Shawn Premchand, who visited the family yesterday, added that he was appealing for the Ministry of Social Development to assist Chaitram’s children and wife.
Chairman of the Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation Raymond Cozier yesterday offered condolences to Chaitram’s loved ones.
He said the East Coast had been filled with citizens who were taking advantage of the holiday weekend. However, he said, local fishermen have noted a strong undercurrent despite the seemingly calm waters.
He advised beachgoers to exercise caution and look out for the signs and presence of lifeguards over the next two days.
“Persons may drift and drift and once you find yourself in the current, you may be pulled and find yourself in difficulties…Don’t get fooled by the nice-looking water. People must be vigilant, and while the water is nice to bathe and m ay look encouraging, do not just go out there.
“Bathe where there are lifeguards and signs that they put out that are safe to bathe. The lifeguards are not out at 6 a.m., and if you are going out there at that time, be extremely careful,” he said.
