The National Security Ministry is investigating the cause of death of former National Security Minister Martin Joseph, whose body was recovered January 5 from a beach in Tobago.
According to reports, Joseph, who was on vacation, left Skylark Villas around 7 am. Some time after, he went swimming at Grange Bay with a friend, George Caruth of Haleland Park, Maraval.
Joseph got into difficulty and Caruth was unable to help him to safety, reports said.
Officers at the Old Grange Police Station said they responded to a call and went to the beach, where they retrieved Joseph's body, with the help of a 17-year-old young man.
Joseph's body was brought to shore at about 8.50 am, according to reports.
In a release issued January 5, the National Security Ministry confirmed that the body was positively identified as Joseph, and said they were probing his death.
Rough seas
The beach is known for large swells and is frequented by surfers. T&T Meteorological Office has recently been issuing rough seas bulletins for the west coasts of Trinidad and Tobago. Similar conditions are expected to persist at least until Wednesday, a Met Office spokesperson said on January 5.
The T&T Coast Guard got a call 8.05 am on January 5 that Joseph went missing after he went swimming at approximately 7.40 am, the Ministry of National Security statement said. The Coast Guard base in Tobago was notified and searched for Joseph at sea.
"It was during their search the body washed ashore near Grange Bay and was recovered by the Old Grange Police," the release said.
Condolences pour in
National Security Minister Gary Griffith and the Ministry of National Security extend condolences to the family and friends of Joseph and the People’s National Movement (PNM), the release said.
Political leader of the PNM Dr Keith Rowley hailed Joseph as a "stalwart" and described him as the Deputy Campaign Manger of the 2015 general elections.
Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Orville London described Joseph as "a good friend, a good comrade, a good colleague."
THA Secretary for Tourism and Transportation Secretary Tracy Davidson Celestine described his death as "a significant loss for the People's National Movement."
THA Heath and Social Service Secretary Claudia Groome Duke described him as the "lifeblood of the organisation."
THA Secretary of Community Development and Culture Denise Tsoiafatt-Angus described him as "a dear friend, a colleague and a key team player for the People's National Movement."
COP Chairman Nicole Dyer Griffith also extended condolences to the family and colleagues of the decesaed former minister.
More info
According to the T&T Parliament website, from 1995 to 2002, Mr. Joseph was the elected Member of Parliament for the St. Ann's East Constituency. His appointment as a Cabinet Minister in the Trinidad and Tobago Government began in 2001 when he assumed the portfolio of Minister of Public Utilities and the Environment. In October 2002, Mr. Joseph was made a Government Senator and was given the portfolio of Minister of Housing, an appointment he held until November 2003. Mr. Joseph was appointed Minister of National Security in November 2003.