The local and regional sporting communities are mourning the loss of West Indies and Trinidad and Tobago cricketer Runako Morton who died following a car crash on Sunday night. The 33-year-old Queen's Park Cricket Club (QPCC) batsman succumbed to multiple internal injuries at the Chaguanas District Health Facility. Morton was returning to his Princes Town home after his team won a match against T&TEC in the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) Premiership at St Clair when his white Nissan Tiida ran off the Uriah Butler Highway, near the Chase Village Flyover, Chaguanas. Morton was the lone occupant in the vehicle when it crashed side-on into an electricity pole at around 10.50 pm. He died minutes after arriving at the health facility.
The Nevis-born cricketer made his debut for the Leeward Islands in 1996, scoring 4,104 first class runs. He later played for the West Indies, scoring 573 runs at an average of 22.03. He was more successful at the limited-overs level, scoring 1,519 runs at an average of 33.75 with two centuries and ten 50s. The highlight of his career at this level of the game was an unbeaten 110 against New Zealand in 2006. However, Morton's career was blemished with controversies. He was expelled from the West Indian Academy in July 2001 for a series of regulation breaches but was recalled in the following year to represent the Leeward Islands. Controversy arose again in September 2002 after he lied about his grandmother's death and was forced out of the ICC Champions Trophy. Two years later, he was arrested, but subsequently released, without being charged following a stabbing incident.
This controversy was followed by his arrest, along with Leeward Islands all-rounder Tonito Willet, for alleged possession of marijuana in March 2011. Morton was married to Trinidadian Leiselle Morton and was the father of three children, whose ages range from nine to one-year-old. The family lives at Crystal View, Princes Town, a stone's throw away from national cricketer Dave Mohammed. Following the news of his death, there has been an outpouring of condolences from his former teammates and cricketers around the world.
First team cricket manager of the QPCC Jeffrey Guillen said it was a sad day for the entire cricket fraternity in Trinidad and Tobago and his teammates were in shock after learning of his death 30 minutes after sharing a dressing room with him. Guillen said: "After the game, he was extremely happy, in great spirits and was full of life and energy. He was talking cricket with the younger boys and giving off that positive energy.
"It is so sad to know that within half-an-hour of this, he died." Guillen said he got the news at around 11.30 from team captain Justin Guillen. However, he was only in time to see the body in the mortuary at the San Fernando General Hospital. He described Morton as a passionate person, on and off the field, and a determined and excellent cricketer. He said the QPCC flag was flown at half mast yesterday and the club would meet today to discuss what would be done to honour his contribution to the sport. Omar Khan, manager of the Trinidad and Tobago cricket team, said Morton would be remembered as a jovial person as well as an energetic and attacking batsman. Khan, who managed Morton during the 2009 to 2009 regional T20 tournament, said he was a player who always gave 150 per cent effort to the game. He said it was always tragic when someone so young and full of potential died.
A tweet from the West Indies Cricket Board's official account reads:
"Our deepest condolences to Runako Morton's family. Such devastating and tragic news."
On Twitter, former West Indies captain Chris Gayle said: "We lost a true warrior in WI cricketer Runako Morton. May his soul rest in peace. Our memories together live on. My condolences to his family." Former West Indies all-rounder Wavell Hinds tweeted: "Gone far too soon brother Runako. I will treasure the great memories for sure. RIP, God knows best," while Rayad Emrit, who played with Morton for Trinidad, said: "RIP Morton. You'll always be remembered, buddy. Gone but never forgotten. We miss you, bro." Veteran New Zealand cricketer Scott Styris also expressed his grief, "Sad to hear the news of West Indian cricketer Runako Morton passing away in a car accident! Terrible news. RIP." England's batsman Kevin Pietersen added: "My thoughts go out to Runako Morton's family this morning... such sad news. What a lovely guy and fierce competitor. RIP bossman." An autopsy is expected to be done on his body today at the San Fernando General Hospital.