Seaman finally gets medal for bravery
LIFE has not been the same for Verusha Ramdin since the death of her husband, leading seaman Amrithlall Tothara Ramdin.
However, six years after his death, she got some comfort when he was given a posthumous bravery medal during Armed Forces Day.
Armed Forces Day was hosted by the SANDF on Tuesday in Richards Bay.
Ramdin, 41, from the Bluff, died while trying to rescue three staff members of the Department of Public Works from a gas-filled sewage pit at the Durban Naval Base on February 17, 2017.
His colleagues – Able Seaman Francois William Mundell, 26, from the SAS Makhanda in the Western Cape; and
Seaman Henro Ter Borg, 21, from the Maritime Reaction Squadron in Cape Town – also died during the rescue efforts.
They were also given bravery medals. During the incident, the department employees were repairing a sewage valve when gas fumes leaked out and they lost consciousness.
A contractor managed to stop a maritime reaction bus that morning.
Ramdin, of the Durban Naval Base, Mundell and Ter Borg, who were among the occupants on the bus, went to help.
They went into the sewage pit in an attempt to rescue the staff but died after inhaling the toxic fumes.
Other members from the SANDF, who wore compressed air breathing apparatus, later entered the pit and recovered the six bodies.
“Last Friday marked six years since my husband died,” said Verusha.
“I am happy that after all these years, he was finally recognised for his bravery. I feel proud and honoured, and after many years I have something to smile about.”
His son, Surav Ramdin, 14, received the award on behalf of his family.
“Surav and his older sister, Saiyuri, were little when he passed on. As a family, we were very close.
“We did everything together: simple things like going to the garage. Since his death, there has been a huge void in our lives, and although the incident occurred six years ago, to us it feels like yesterday.”
Captain Prince Tshabalala, a spokesperson for the SANDF, confirmed that Ramdin, Mundell and Ter Borg all received medals for bravery.