The quest by three friends for a meal of barbeque chicken and fries came to sad end yesterday as the vehicle they were driving in crashed into a utility pole ending their youthful lives. The victims were listed as brothers, Dale and Dillon Singh, 28, and 18 years, respectively, and their close friend and neighbour, 16-year-old Shem Clint Bahadoor. The young men lived four houses apart from each other on Poonah Road, Whiteland. Police said that around noon, the green Hyundai Sonata driven by Dale was travelling north on the Uriah Butler Highway in the vicinity of the Caroni Bird Sanctuary.
Reports stated that Dale lost control of the car and it crashed into the utility pole before flipping several times and landing on its side. Police said that the three men died on the spot and that fire officers had to utilise the jaws of life to free Dale's body from the mangled wreck, after he was pinned behind the steering wheel. Eyewitnesses alleged that the men were engaged in a drag race at the time of the accident, but none of their competitors stopped to offer assistance. When the Guardian and other media visited the Singh family at their home, they were met with hostility, with threats being issued by a man who identified himself as the father of the Dale and Dillon.
"I want you do come off my premises before I get hostile," the man said in a rough tone. The man said he had nothing say after radio reports stated that his sons were engaged in a drag race on the highway. He said it was totally untrue and that his family was not willing to speak to the media. At Bahadoor's house, Shem's relatives and friends gathered to offer support to his distressed family who said that they were devastated after learning of the boy's death. Shem's eldest sister Tricia Mohipat said: "When I got the news this morning, I felt like a rock was taken from under me." His aunt, Aliena Ramnarine, said that the boys would usually go hang out because they were close friends.
She said that Shem, a student of Gasparillo Secondary School, had almost completed his CSEC examinations and was looking forward to getting his suit for his graduation event. "Shem was going a get a pink suit for his graduation on Friday," Ramnarine said fondly. She described Shem as a jovial and obedient boy who was loved by everyone. She said he loved cars and computers and was considering continuing his studies in one of those fields. She said the boys were good people, who never smoked, drank or got into trouble. Shem was the fifth of the six children of Cynthia Ramlogan and Lincoln Bahadoor. Chaguanas police are continuing investigations.