Tragic end to birthday celebration
A NIGHT out to celebrate his relative’s birthday ended tragically for Aatish Moneypersadh when he was killed in an accident on the M1 Higginson Highway on Sunday morning.
Moneypersadh, 26, from Welbedacht East near Chatsworth, was a passenger in a double cab. He was travelling with 10 relatives, including his two sisters and two children. The 11th person was a friend of the family. They all survived.
Ramlall Moneypersadh, Aatish’s father, said the group were returning from town after a relative’s birthday.
“I received a call about the accident from one of my nephews who survived the crash. I did not know what to think.
“I just drove to the scene. I could not find Aatish. I saw one of my daughters being treated by paramedics along with my other relatives. I was told that my other daughter was trapped under the vehicle. I could not process what was going on. It was so shocking.
“I was told Aatish was flung out of the vehicle and his body was about 12 meters away from the scene. They told me he had suffered severe head injuries and he died at the scene.
“The hardest thing I had to do was break the news to his mother. In addition, I had to call the parents of all my relatives involved in the crash.”
Ramlall said some of the survivors told him the driver was trying to avoid a light pole that was lying across the road.
“The survivors have all been discharged from hospital. Some have injuries to their necks, broken legs and hands. They are in a lot of pain.
“Losing Aatish has traumatised everyone in the family. He was selfemployed. He made and sold hollow building blocks. He worked hard to help me take care of his mom and sisters who are both unemployed.
“He was a humble young man who was respectful and responsible. I don’t know how we are going to cope.”
Garrith Jamieson, spokesperson of ALS Paramedics, said they responded to
the collision just after 2.30am.
“On arrival, paramedics were faced with a chaotic scene. A single vehicle had left the roadway and rolled, ejecting numerous passengers.
“Paramedics did an initial triage and found that a man had sustained major injuries. There was nothing more paramedics could do for him and he was declared deceased on the scene.”
He said a second patient was found trapped in the wreckage and the Durban
Fire Department used the
Jaws of Life and other equipment to free the patient while ALS Paramedics treated the patient.
“The remaining 11 people had sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious.
Once stabilised on the scene by numerous ambulance services they were transported to various hospitals for further care.”
Moneypersadh was cremated on Tuesday, at Clare Estate Crematorium.
Colonel Robert Netshiunda, a police spokesperson, said: “Chatsworth police are investigating a case of culpable homicide.”