Kyle Gonsalves, 33, is feared drowned off the north coast, Blanchisseuse. However, his relatives and close friends are hoping and praying for a “miracle” that they would get to see their loved one again.
According to reports, Gonsalves and other relatives were seen walking along the rocks at about 4.15 pm on Boxing Day (Saturday) when Gonsalves jumped into the waters and was instantly submerged and believed to be swept away by the strong currents.
Speaking to the T&T Guardian yesterday, his mother, who spoke very briefly urged all citizens of all faiths to say a special fervent prayer for her son.
She said since Gonsalves went missing family members had been searching frantically for him.
“The weather was very bad and he just jumped into the water and disappeared. We just need all the prayers that we can get right now,” Gonsalves’ mother said.
She said they had been frequenting their Blanchisseuse beach house for years but it was not normal for them to go there on Boxing Day. However, they decided to go this year to accommodate relatives who came to T&T for the holiday vacation.
One of Gonsalves’ close relatives, Danielle Gonsalves, posted on Facebook at 6.22 pm on Saturday about the incident. She pleaded with anyone who could assist with the T&T Coast Guard, boats, lights or helicopters to help them.
In a subsequent post, at about 6.25 am yesterday, she updated her post saying at one point a helicopter came but eventually left, and begged for anyone to help get another helicopter. She said up to yesterday morning there were no boats or helicopters out to help them.
However, Lt Commander Kirk Jean-Baptiste, the public relations officer for the T&T Coast Guard yesterday confirmed to the T&T Guardian that Coast Guard officials have been out conducting searches from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm and again yesterday from the break of dawn.
“About 5.30 pm on Saturday we got a call that a man went to swim. Immediately a CG Action Interceptor 013 from the Tobago base responded and carried out searches. They were joined by one of the larger vessels, the CG24, which was despatched from Staubles Bay. The searched went up until 9.30 pm. This morning (yesterday) another one of our bigger vessels, the CG23 continued the search,” Jean-Baptiste said.
He also cleared the air on the visibility issue.
“In most cases people from the shore don’t see us and think we are not around but we are. In this case we are conducting searches based on the tidal and current patterns because in the Blanchisseuse area, because of the strong currents he may have been pulled out and even further down the road.”
On Saturday a rough sea bulletin was issued by meteorologist Bagwandeen Ramdatt warning small craft operators, sea bathers and all other marine interests to exercise extreme caution in any sea related activities.
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Gonsalves has been employed for almost eight years at McEnearney Business Machines (MBM), a member of the Ansa McAl Group.
Speaking with the T&T Guardian yesterday, MBM’s general manager Jeewan Mohan said he was hoping and praying for the best.
“I last saw Gonsalves on Christmas Eve at work as normal. The news sent chills through my body. It is hard to accept.
“It has left me along with co-workers in shock and disbelief. This is really emotional and heart-renching for us,” Mohan said.
Gonsalves has played a critical role at MBM, according to Mohan, being part of the leadership team in steering the direction of the company along the path of success.