Latest update March 25th, 2025 7:08 AM
Latest News
- Surinamese invest US$516M into country’s first oil project
- ExxonMobil impact study for Hammerhead project silent on likely explosion from new pipeline
- ‘A shocking breach’: Trump officials leak military attacks to The Atlantic
- Pensioner goes missing during creek outing at Kwakwani
- Cuban national jailed for entering Guyana illegally
Guyanese family still in shock over freak helicopter crash that killed grandpa
Killed: Deodat Gangapersaud, 72
The family of a Hillsborough County man killed in a freak crash involving a helicopter and a pickup truck in Palm River is sharing their memories of a loving husband and father.
Ryan Persaud witnessed that terrifying moment a helicopter went down in the middle of a busy Tampa intersection.
The helicopter’s rotor blade struck his truck, killing his father, 72-year-old Deodat Gangapersaud, who was a passenger. Gangapersaud is said to be from Whim, Berbice, Guyana.
He is said to be well-loved and respected.
“The way it happened, it’s so horrific and tragic,” Persaud said in a www.abcactionnews.com report.
ABC Action News sat down with Gangapersaud’s family on Monday. They say he loved the outdoors, gardening, singing, and dancing.
“I’m still in shock,” said wife Grace Gangapersaud. “My life changed completely since that day.”
The retired security guard was a father of five and grandfather to eight children.
“I’m scared to sleep, when I sleep I look over and he is not there,” Grace said.
The family of the late Deodat Gangapersaud.
With shards of glass still in his right arm, Ryan Persaud’s injuries will eventually heal but his life, and so many others are forever changed by a freak accident.
Gangapersaud’s family is raising money in his honor for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) because of his passion for dogs.
The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report on the deadly crash. The report states the mechanics were working on the helicopter on the day of the crash.
The mechanics replaced the fuel service unit and did not notice any issues. The pilot tried to fly the helicopter to Sarasota airport but the helicopter lost power 15 minutes later. This forced them to attempt the landing on the roadway.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Desecration, Disrespectful, and Disgraceful
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- The solemnity of Babu Jaan, a site meant to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Cheddi... more
The Caribbean: Destined to Grin and Bear the Consequences of Its Self-Created Vulnerabilities?
By Sir Ronald Sanders For decades, many Caribbean nations have grappled with dependence on a small number of powerful countries... more
Weekend Cartoon
