And like the Tracey's, the Gillett family is also in mourning after a tragic drowning this weekend. 34-year-old Rashaad Gillett was visiting the Split at Caye Caulker with about 13 of his family members - a trip to enjoy the long weekend. But shortly after they arrived, Gillett dove into the water and didn't resurface. Medical professionals at the scene and at the polyclinic performed CPR, but it was futile, and Gillett succumbed. And while his family grieves, they choose to do so by reminiscing on the well-known traffic inspector and father of one. Courtney Menzies has this story.
The Gillett family decided to spend a sunny Sunday at the Split in Caye Caulker, but only about an hour after they arrived on the island, 34-year-old Rashaad Gillett jumped in head first, plunging to his death. A tourist who saw him go in alerted the family that Gillett hadn't resurfaced and when they pulled him out of the sea, his pulse was weak.
When they got to the polyclinic, Gillett - a popular inspection officer - would take his final breath. And today as his family gathered, his father chose not to speak about the incident, but about his son.
Euan Gillett, Father of Deceased
"Rashaad was not the outgoing type, he didn't attend the clubs, the discos, the bars, the nice spot, the casinos and those things, from way back then, even though he is in his mid-30s that wasn't his thing, like myself and my other son, like what teenagers would normally do, he wouldn't. he was basically a home oriented individual. Had one daughter that's going to be 3, but Rashaad would remember things from way back with his great grandfather and his grandfather, he would hug up my mom and say, "gyal, Gwen." He was calm, quiet, and a lot of the people that he came in contact with due to his job said he was a quiet individual and real calming and relaxed them and, you know, because when you go to certain places there's a fear and an expectation, but they got on smoothly with him."
And even those he worked with felt the loss of his easy going presence, especially since, according to the Councilor in charge of Traffic Management, he'd been working at the City Hall for almost a decade.
Albert Vaughn, Councilor, Traffic Management
"First I would like to pass my condolences to the family, in particular the wife, and his extended family, the traffic department. When I got the news, councilor Cattouse was out there in the caye, it was devastating, it was shocking, couldn't believe it. Mr Gillett is one of our young and dynamic persons at our traffic department. He served almost 9 years at the City Council, he started as customer service and worked his way up, he's a technical person and so the loss of Mr Gillett will really impact the traffic department, in particular the inspection at the City Council."
"The traffic team held a vigil, a prayer for him, and everybody is just going around soberly, trying to grip what has happened."
And while some media reports say there were no doctors at the polyclinic, Gillett's father wanted to clarify that there was a doctor and a nurse on the scene, and two doctors at the clinic. All tried to assist, and while Gillett didn't make it, the family said they are grateful.
The City Council has pledged to step in and assist with Gillett's funeral arrangements.
