One day after her grandson was swept away by waves at a beach in Toco, Kathleen Providence is holding out hope that he is still alive.
Her grandson, nine-year-old Omari Providence, left to go to Mission Beach on Sunday afternoon with relatives but never returned home.
While sea bathing, Omari was swept away by waves, prompting widespread searches along the east coast by Coast Guard divers and fishermen. Up to late yesterday, he was not found.
Speaking with Guardian Media at her Picton Road, Laventille, home on Monday, the elder Providence, pain etched on her face, said her instincts told her that Omari was still alive.
“My heart is telling me that he is alive. The Omari that I know, Omari, isn’t going to die so easily. He’s going down with a fight.
“Omari is somewhere out there, my heart is just telling me that.”
Providence said Omari lived with his mother in east Trinidad but would visit her during the vacation.
She remembered him as being helpful and very adept in using technology, even helping her to use her smartphone.
“I used to get a problem with my phone and Omari would take the phone and sort out all the problems,” she recalled lovingly.
“Sometimes he could be a little miserable but he’s helpful.”
While remembering her missing grandson, Providence paused several times as she cried softly. Other relatives who also visited the home were moved to tears as they hoped for Omari’s safe return.
Providence said she continued to pray for the safe return of her grandson.
She said other relatives were also devastated by his loss and described them as being “out of it” from the grief.
Omari’s parents remained in Toco up to yesterday evening as search efforts continued.
Body washes ashore
Meanwhile, the body of 16-year-old Tyrese Singh washed ashore last night.
His family had paced the shores off Manzanilla, hoping for the ocean to release his body earlier in the day. But it was around 7.45 pm when his body washed ashore minutes away from where he drowned on Sunday, between Manzanilla and Orotoire, close to Rest House Village, St Joseph.
Phil Singh, his dad, was too distraught to talk to the media yesterday as they searched for him. He was not giving up hope, however. Singh walked along the beach, declaring that he would only consider his son dead when they find his body.
Tyrese had just graduated from St Stephen’s College and was about to start CAPE studies at Rio Claro East Secondary School. His family described him as a young man with a passion for football. He was very close to his mother, always accompanying her to church.
In the ocean, fishermen threw nets, hoping his body would become entangled. While above, an Air Guard helicopter circled the area.
“We have the Coast Guard presence; we have some air support. We are continuing. Some of the local fishermen offered their fishing nets,” said Kristen Townsand, Singh’s cousin. “But we won’t give up because we want the family to get that closure.”
Around 5 pm on Sunday, he was bathing in the sea with his cousin and sister when they got caught in a current. Singh tried to save them but was pulled out and has not been seen since.
“He was swept away but his sister and cousin were saved by some beachgoers, local residents of the Mayaro area,” Townsand explained.
He said there were no lifeguards in the area.
“We are asking for increased lifeguard presence on our shorelines. We need the increased lifeguard presence. As a result of the August holidays, we have a lot of families coming to Mayaro. We have a lot of young ones coming to enjoy the beach and we need an increase in the lifeguard presence in our Mayaro area.”
Mayaro MP Rushton Paray extended condolences to the family. He said he knew the boy’s father well. He too echoed the call for lifeguards but went a step further.
He has been urging the Government to establish five bathing zones from Guayaguayare to Ortoire. It is impossible to maintain, monitor and secure 17 to 20 miles of beach, but by having these five safe bathing zones we will tell the public we will ensure your safety while you are in these safe bathing zones.”
Woman, 60, drowns at Damian Bay
At Damian Bay, Las Cuevas, a 60-year-old woman drowned while swimming along the North Coast on Sunday. Police said Margaret Ramdoolie, of Arena Road, Freeport, visited the beach with relatives.
Around 4.30 pm, she went into the water for a swim. Shortly after, her relatives noticed she was floating face down, about 50 feet into the water. One of her relatives pulled her to shore.
An ambulance was called in and emergency medical technicians tried performing CPR but were unsuccessful.
She was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where she was declared dead at around 6.19 pm.
