Nagara Touch muso dies after ambulance accident
AMLESH Rajcoomar, 42, a singer and harmonium player for the chutney group Nagara Touch, died at eThekwini Hospital and Heart Centre on March 11.
Rajcoomar suffered from a heart condition and while being taken to hospital in an ambulance, the vehicle was involved in a collision near Ballito.
After the crash, Rajcoomar had to be put on life support.
His wife, Suehana Sewpersad-Rajcoomar, 37, said they had unanswered questions following his death.
Rajcoomar, a father of three, worked as a medical engineer for Becton, Dickinson and Company.
According to his wife, the ambulance was taking him to Gateway Hospital when the incident happened.
“His condition was as a result of stress and work pressures. It would happen from time to time and one such day was March 9, while we were at home. He described it as a discomfort in his chest.
“I decided to employ the assistance of Taurus Medical and Security Services to take him to hospital to get the care he needed. I called them around 8.30pm.
“Before going into the back of the ambulance, I remember him asking if they could charge his phone. Then, around 11pm, I got a call saying an accident occurred and he was flung out of the vehicle.
“The person who called didn’t provide details of where exactly the collision took place. They said it was in Ballito near Crocodile Creek. I’m not sure whether or not he had been strapped in at the time of the accident, but they informed me they would have to re-route to eThekwini Hospital.
“The caller said the ambulance flipped, which doesn’t make sense considering the driver said he was driving at 80km/h. They also said the driver sustained minor injuries. He was taken to a different hospital and was discharged the next day.”
Sewpersad-Rajcoomar said she had been informed by paramedics that her husband had sustained severe injuries to his head.
“That Saturday morning, my children and I went to the hospital to see him. My 2-year-old did not understand what was happening and thought he was just asleep.
“Even though he was on life support, his body started shutting down. The doctors couldn’t do much for him anymore.”
She said she wanted justice and answers.
“I still have many questions about what transpired, but the most important thing was that we ensure he had a dignified funeral.
“It’s important that I have answers for my children, especially my youngest, who doesn’t understand what happened to ‘dada’. My older children are coping a lot better because they were able to get counselling. It will still take us a while to fully come to terms with everything.
“He was everything to us. He never raised his voice or hand to his children. They were never short of anything they wanted or needed.”
Sewpersad-Rajcoomar said that when she was retrenched from her job in December, her husband helped set up Skin Pro Advanced Aesthetic Centre, a skincare business, in Ballito.
“He was my biggest support system. He insisted that we have everything ready for my business as timely as possible. It’s almost as if he knew that he would be gone soon.
“My business launch was on February 13 and he died almost a month later.”
Sewpersad-Rajcoomar said her husband had been passionate about his work and saving lives.
Kovesh Nadasen, a singer and dancer from Nagara Touch, said Rajcoomar was an ardent fan of Nagara and Chutney music.
“Before becoming a member, Amlesh was a huge fan of Nagara Touch. He was passionate about Nagara music and was always eager to learn more and share his knowledge with those around him, including his son, who has now followed in his footsteps and taken up music.
“He was a talented musician who added a special touch to every song he performed. His skill and enthusiasm were infectious and he was always willing to travel from Stanger to perform, or stay late and practise with us for CD recordings. He was a regular feature at gigs across the country and was always the life of the party.”
Nikesh Hooblall, the owner of Taurus Medical and Security Services, did not provide a comment by the time of publication.
Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala, a provincial police spokesperson, said uMhlali SAPS was investigating a case of culpable homicide.
“The circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated.”
Rajcoomar’s funeral took place on March 14 at the Stanger Siva Sungam Hall.
He was cremated at the KwaDukuza Crematorium.