By LAUREL V WILLIAMS Friday, January 27 2012

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IN SHOCK: Penal councillor Shanti Boodram (right) and Zorida Rahamut - daughter of the deceased - weep near the accident scene. ...

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THE death of Khairoon Rahamut, a United National Congress (UNC) activist and personal friend of several years to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has left the PM in a deep state of mourning.

“I have lost a dear friend and a sister. I will miss her dearly. She was my friend for over 25 years...when I was nobody,” a sombre sounding Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar said as she reacted to news that Rahamut, 62, was struck by a truck while she attempted to cross the SS Erin Road directly in front the Penal Police Station yesterday.

The incident happened shortly after 10 am. Rahamut’s bleeding body lay on the busy roadway in full view of passers-by. Near her body was a bag bearing the smiling photo of Persad-Bissesar. A few minutes before her death, Rahamut of Laltoo Trace in Penal left the constituency office of Persad-Bissessar not too far from the Penal Police station after collecting a commemorative mug in honour of the second anniversary of Persad-Bissessar’s election as political leader of the UNC. The incident took place two days after a massive celebration at Rienzi Complex in Couva to mark the two-year anniversary.

“This is so sad, I was just talking to my son about her. She was my friend, my sister for over 25 years.

Her entire family has been a source of strength to me and not just at the political level but a real friend to me,” Persad-Bissessar said.

A police report stated the driver of a water truck was exiting the Penal Rock Road on Penal Junction, to proceed along the SS Erin Road when as Rahamut was crossing the road she was struck by the rear end of the truck. With the back wheel riding over her body.

The driver, 56, from La Romaine is employed with General Earth Movers Limited and had just delivered water to residents of Scott’s Road in Penal. Sgt Nehami, acting Sgt Jaggernath, woman Cpl Cornwall and other officers are investigating.