An unfortunate accident was how relatives of Kaden Sandy, eight, described his drowning death in Carenage on Sunday.
As the village of Morvant mourned his death yesterday, relatives of the Standard One pupil of the Lower Morvant Government Primary School, Lady Young Avenue—begged the public to remember him as the quiet, loveable, little boy who had big dreams to become a fireman.
A budding athlete who would use his grandmother’s spray cans as footballs in the house, Kaden was fondly remembered for his ability to play quietly while tending to his paralysed grandfather.
Kaden, who lived with his mother Abeke Jones, grandparents and other relatives at Never Dirty, Morvant, celebrated his eighth birthday on September 4.
He was said to have accompanied relatives on a pleasure trip around 5 pm on September 22, to a spot approximately two miles off Centipede Island, Chaguaramas—where the group was bathing and fishing out at sea.
Police said as they were preparing to return to shore at 7.15 pm, the captain of their pirogue was informed that the rope that was tethered to another vessel they were towing, had become loose, causing both boats to collide.
The boats overturned and all aboard fell into the water.
Four of the five people onboard were eventually pulled from the water while numerous efforts to locate Kaden proved futile.
The captain of a nearby vessel helped to take the victims to the Coastguard Headquarters, Staubles Bay, Chaguaramas.
Coastguard divers were alerted and joined the search for the boy, whose nude body was eventually found, trapped beneath one of the pirogues.
Kaden’s father Jules Sandy was heartbroken yesterday as he demanded answers, whilst neighbours and friends called for justice.
He claimed his son’s death was due to negligence and added it seemed to be suspicious.
A woman, who said her daughter used to play with Kaden whenever he visited his father’s home, said they were shocked and saddened by his death.
She said she had been crying since getting the news of his death.
Indicating Sandy was a good father and provider, she said Kaden, “Was the most quietest, perfect child.”
The second woman expressed similar sentiments, adding, “We need answers so we could know what happen to this child.”
Over at Kaden’s grandmother’s home at Woods Alley, Never Dirty—tears flowed freely as relatives and villagers alike cried for the little soul who was described as an “angel.”
They dismissed claims of negligence and instead shared fond memories of the boy.
“He was the light of our house.”
One relative said, “He is the most loving and most willing” of the five grandchildren living in the house.
They reminisced about him pulling the blankets off his 64-year-old grandfather who was bedridden every day, urging him to get up.
Relatives laughed as they remembered his habit of hiding the TV remote so he could watch Paw Patrol, which had fuelled his dream of becoming a firefighter.
Relatives who had been present on the boat with Kaden recalled the pride he had felt after catching 13 red fishes which he was eager to bring home.
“It was an unfortunate accident that happen. Nothing we say or do will bring him back,” a relative cried.
Another added, “This child didn’t live in confusion. Please don’t let his death be one with mud-slinging.”