Husband mourns love of his life

A mournful Basdeo Persad yesterday lamented the loss of the love of his life, Rose Persad, saying she was more than his wife, but also a friend and business partner. As he awaited the results of her autopsy outside the mortuary of the San Fernando General Hospital, Basdeo said: “She was everything to me...Now I don’t know what I am going to do.”

Rose Persad, the mother of four, was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital after she was crushed by a runaway car in front of their Rochard Road, Barrackpore home on Sunday. The autopsy performed by Dr Hubert Daisley showed her entire chest cavity had collapsed and she suffered lung failure. She also had internal bleeding and broken bones.

Her funeral is tentatively set for tomorrow at their home starting at 10 am. After the service, the body will be taken to the Shore of Peace  at Mosquito Creek, South Oropouche, for cremation. After the autopsy, investigators were finishing their report to take to senior officers to see whether charges can be laid.

Persad, still in a state of shock, said he could not describe how it felt to lose his wife of 28 years, especially on the day when they were going to celebrate their wedding anniversary. He said she had planned something for him, but he would never know what it was.

Recollecting the incident, Persad said he had just spoken to his wife and within a few minutes, his life came crashing down. He said while watching the T20 international cricket match between England and the West Indies on television, he heard the accident and rushed outside.

While he attempted to move the car, he said he was unaware the victim was his wife. It was only when he turned her face that he recognised her. “That day was our anniversary, 28 years, date to date. And she was going to plan a little surprise in the evening for me and I did not even know that. I can’t describe how I feel now but I know I am still in shock.”

A former cane and rice farmer, he said his wife helped him develop into a real-estate agent, with her doing a large portion of the work. He said he knew the driver of the car which killed his wife and also his family very well, as they live close to one of his properties. “I believe in the law of this country and we have to deal with the law,” Persad said.

“I built that place in a way for nothing to come in and hit away anything. It was just a little corner he had to go around and no rain was falling. I do not know what course the law will take. Whatever they decide, they can go ahead. Several members of Persad’s family are expected to arrive from overseas for the funeral, including three of her four children.