The “Santa Claus” of Barrackpore, a man who treated children to Christmas gifts for many years, is dead after his car ran off the road yesterday. Jeetendra Boodoo, 39, of Papourie Road, Barrackpore, died in the arms of his wife Cheryl shortly after 1.30 am yesterday. Police said he lost control of his Kia Rio close to the Lower Barrackpore Recreation Ground and slammed into a Nissan X-Trail driven by Sahadeo Persad, 39, of Barrackpore. Persad was not injured.
At Boodoo’s home yesterday, his brother Rakesh said he was mere minutes away from his home when tragedy struck. Describing Boodoo as a loving and generous man, Rakesh said Boodoo had plans of making his 2015 toy drive the best ever. “He had lots of plans. He was always travelling and he was always willing to give donations and help the less fortunate,” Rakesh said. He said Boodoo owned a poultry shop at SS Erin Road but four years ago, he moved to Barrackpore and began managing Pat’s Sports Bar.
“He did well because he was good to people. Many people used to come here and ask for help and he was always willing,” Rakesh said. On the morning of the crash, Rakesh said Cheryl received a call that her husband was in an accident. “When she got there he was barely alive. He was not talking. The neighbour said after the accident he got out of the car and he told the neighbour he just wanted to lie down. Then he died,” Rakesh said.
Cheryl was too distraught to speak. The couple has three children—Celina, 14, Crystal, 13, and Keara, aged seven. Boodoo’s body has been taken to the San Fernando General hospital where an autopsy will be done today. Barrackpore police are continuing investigations.