Senior Reporter
sascha.wilson@guardian.co.tt
Penal resident Rishi Ramsaroop was already planning his annual Christmas drive, where he would dress like Santa Claus and bring joy to the children of his neighbourhood and environs.
Unfortunately, 47-year-old Ramsaroop fondly called Cork Eye, died yesterday from injuries he sustained in an accident on Thursday night in Penal.
Ramsaroop died around 5 am at the San Fernando General Hospital.
Police said the 47-year-old left his home at Bhupsingh Street, Penal, to pick up a friend to go liming, but around 8.30 pm he lost control of his van which slammed into a bridge near Mohess Road junction and then crashed into a ditch. His friend was not injured.
Ramsaroop was a motorsport enthusiast and mechanic.
His wife was not home when Guardian Media visited yesterday.
Parandai Rampersad, 61, said she considered Ramsaroop, who had been her neighbour for over 30 years, as a son. She said he was outgoing, jolly and loved making people laugh. She said he would assist the community for Divali and Christmas. He would use his funds to host a Christmas treat annually and donate meals to homes and hospitals.
Rampersad said he had left home about 15 to 20 minutes before the crash.
Officers from the Barrackpore Police Station are investigating.