Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Rajeev Chaitram, a beloved Princes Town cricketer, gave his life to save his two cousins from drowning, but Chaitram’s death has now left his four young children fatherless.
Chaitram, 33, an opening batsman for Cedar Hill United Cricket Club, had gone to a beach house at St Ann’s Road, Mayaro, with his wife, Chantal Mahadeo, and their four children: Isabella, six, Rayon, five, Riad, three, and two-year-old Ciara Chaitram.
About 20 other club members and relatives had gathered at the beach house for a weekend Independence lime.
A cousin, who requested anonymity, told Guardian Media they were in shallow water when a big swell suddenly pulled them 200 feet out to sea. “It was the first time we saw the water looking like this. It was calm like glass, and they were not far out, only about 40 inches of water, but my son said the sand started pulling from under them,” the relative recalled. As the group was pulled away from the shore, fishermen arrived with a plastic raft and a buoy to help.
“Rajeev also came to help bring them back, but he got into difficulties. When I saw Rajeev on the sand, he was frothing. I started CPR on him, and they rushed him to the health centre, but he died. He had taken in too much water,” the relative added.
Reflecting on the Independence lime, the cousin said, “We always cook and lime. Rajeev’s mom, wife, and kids were there. People were going and coming.”
He described Chaitram as the youngest in the family who was always happy and willing to help. “He worked at TOSL and was trying to make ends meet, struggling to get the kids out for school. He was the most fun-loving guy you could meet,” the relative said.
His mother, Tara Dhoray Chaitram, agreed. Overcome with grief, she said, “On Friday night, I couldn’t sleep and woke up several times with worry. Little did I know that my son would die the following morning.”
Chaitram’s common-law wife, Chantal Mahadeo, said she was now faced with the challenge of raising their children alone.
“Right now, I’m worried about my children. How am I going to tell them about this? How am I going to manage to see about them? It’s difficult; the boys were really attached to their father,” she sobbed.
Councillor Shawn Premchan remembered Chaitram as a helpful community member who was involved in the cricket club and assisted in setting up a homework centre for the youths in the area. “The district of Corinth Cedar Hill is very sad. Chaitram was fondly known as Pa. His family is no stranger to us. We honoured his grandmother recently. Having heard about his passing, it is really heart-wrenching to know that we lost someone like him,” he said.
Premchan said Chaitram played with Cedar Hill United at the Solomon Recreational Ground, where he volunteered at the homework centre. “He participated in cricket, football, and other sporting activities. People throughout Princes Town will remember him for our T-20 matches.”
He noted that Chaitram’s wife now needs assistance following his death.
