UPDATE: Akeem 'Ocho' Moses' farewell a reflection of his 'loving' personality
Moses, a fire officer at the BVI Airports Authority, lost his life under tragic circumstances when he became involved in a horrific accident on the James Walter Francis Highway around midnight on December 4, 2012.
Fire officers today ensured a fitting send off for their fallen colleague as they led a procession in Road Town before heading to the church for viewing and service.
Among the many tributes given, all decribed Akeem as loving and friendly and someone who one would have enjoyed having around as he was always in high spirits and ready to share a joke.
Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith described the late Akeem Moses as a vibrant young man who was one of the rising stars in the community. He also said Akeem was jovial and very often in high spirits.
"When I heard the news of his passing, I immediately called his sister, Madam Speaker the Honourable Ingrid Moses to express my condolences. Akeem was a fire officer who loved his profession. He was committed to his own personal growth and often reminisced about being an entrepreneur. His family can be proud of his personal growth and often reminisced about being an entrepreneur. His family can be proud of his ambitious attitude, friendly personality and his drive to succeed."
Akeem's mother Myrtle Fahie said her heart is grieved as she says goodbye to one of the special loves of her life. "When I received the news I felt as if my heart had stopped. No words can describe how I felt. You were a wonderful son, generous, kind, and was always there without question. There is a great void in my heart at this time but the memories of the good times will help me through."
His brother Leroy Moses said words could not express the various emotions that "I am experiencing right now having to accept the fact that you are really gone."
Sister and Speaker of the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands, Ingrid Moses-Scatliffe said her brother was "one in a million" and was well mannered, responsible, smart, ambitious, jovial, hardworking, even tempered, loving, thoughtful and responsible with a happy personality, an an engaging smile and an endearing spirit...You are indeed gone too soon but I will take comfort in seeing you live through your adorable son, Amori."
The BVI Airports Authority Ltd noted that the Authority first became affiliated with Akeem when he joined ranks as a fire fighter on April 10, 2007. It said Akeem later received training as an Initial Fire Fighter at the International Fire Training Centre in the United Kingdom. He successfully completed his training and went on to become one of the Authority's stalwart Fire Fighters achieving certificates in ECAT (Emergency Care and Treatment), the Caribbean Boat Masterss Licence Grade 2 (Coastal) and Grade 3 (Protected waters) to name a few.
"Akeem had a remarkable zeal for life, which included his love for the sea (sailing), nice cars and most importantly his love for people, that was so refreshing. This zeal he kept not unto himself but would, without a moment's hesitation, share it with those he came into contact with."
Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Delores Christopher said "we were all struck to learn of his sudden and untimely encounter. During this difficult time, we encourage you to cherish the fond memories of your loved one."
Representative for the 6th District Hon. Maduro Caines said "His smile I will never forget. His voice I would always remember...He had such a gentle, humble spirit which I loved about him."
Regional General Manager of Delta Petroleum Caribbean Ltd. Bevis Sylvester described Moses as a vibrant and inspiring young man with an anxious positive energy. "This young man was friendly and courteous. He always looked on the bright side of every situation...I recall him being at the service station the day of his death as he chatted with several of our employees. Akeem loved his father and spared no bones about it. The both had a special connection."
To Mr Leroy Moses, Akeem's father, Mr Sylvester said the death of Akeem has shaken from the Directors and staff in New York to the Regional Staff and the BVI staff. While we can't explain, we can only trust in the Author and Finisher of all things. We are here to support and comfort you...the Delta family is at your side."
Akeem Moses aka Ocho was born on January 21, 1983 and died on December 5, 2012. He was buried at Fahie's Private Burial Ground at Lower Hope Estate.
See previous story posted on December 5, 2012
Brother of Speaker of the House dies in Road Town highway smashup
- Car was reportedly heading east on westbound carriageway of James Walter Francis Highway when collision occured
Dead is 29-year-old Akeem Moses following a horrific accident on the James Walter Francis Highway around midnight December 4, 2012.
The accident involved a Pathfinder and what appeared to be a red sports car with license plate PV12575 in the vicinity of Supa Valu Limited and Festival Grounds.
Virgin Islands News Online can confirm that the name of the deceased is fire officer at the BVI Airports Authority Akeem Moses aka 'Ocho', the occupant of the car. Moses is reportedly the brother of Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Ingrid Moses-Scatliffe.
The driver of the other vehicle was reportedly taken to hospital but it is unclear whether he has suffered serious injury.
From all indications, the car was heading down the wrong way going east on the western carriageway. The eastbound carriageway was blocked from the roundabout. The vehicles reportedly collided head-on and ended up on the same side of the road. According to a man on the scene, both drivers tried to evade the impact but ended up pulling to the same side of the road.
Such was the apparent force of impact that the front of the sports car was severely damaged while both of the airbags flew in the other vehicle.
Officers of the Virgin Islands Fire and Rescue had to cut the body of Moses out of the wreckage.The body remained on the scene up to post time, some 45 minutes after the smashup.
Persons on the scene were furious that the road was blocked and there was no proper indication of a diversion. According to one man, more than one vehicle had mistakenly used the westbound carriageway on noticing that the other side was blocked.
It is not clear who blocked access to the eastbound carriageway but a man, who claimed to be part of the road clean-up crew on the scene at the time of the accident, said they were not responsible for blocking the road. "I am not sure if it was Public Works or who but when we came that road was already blocked."
Meanwhile, a number of persons arrived on the scene as word spread of the tragic accident. One person, who claimed he knew the deceased, said that it was only the day before that he (Moses) had sprayed his car and done some other work on it.
A woman lamented that it was only “tonight he and them boys making jokes now this happen”.
Moses' father was also on the scene and appeared very calm as he watched medical personnel place the body into a vehicle to be transported to the mortuary.
Police, in a press release today December 5, said it was investigating a two-vehicle traffic collision early this morning on the James Walter Francis Drive that has left one driver dead.
"Initial reports suggest that both unaccompanied drivers were travelling along the westbound lane of the dual carriageway in opposite directions around midnight, as the Public Works Department was carrying out road maintenance on the eastbound lane. Upon arriving in the area adjacent to the entrance of the Festival Grounds the two vehicles collided.
Fire and Rescue Officers assisted in extricating the deceased from his vehicle. That driver, Akeem Moses, 29, of Brandywine Bay was pronounced dead at the scene. The other driver received minor injuries.
Both vehicles were extensively damaged," the press release stated.
Only on Monday mornning, December 3, 2012 a driver careened into a palm tree and a light pole on the same stretch of road where the fatal accident occurred. Both the tree and light pole were uprooted. The driver is nursing injures as a result of that accident.
119 Responses to “UPDATE: Akeem 'Ocho' Moses' farewell a reflection of his 'loving' personality”
hmm, hmm, hmm my boy from college DAYSat HLSCC
RIP... That was unexpected... but when it comes to life we never know what each day has in stalled for us.
It is such a tragic thing to have lost yet another life however, I have to say, I am constantly amazed at the decisions people make. I have witnessed Akeem driving his car a few times (which everyone knows he loved) and every time he was going way too fast. People need to stop and think before driving over the speed limits (after all, they are in place for a reason) and also when making decisions on the road.
Stay safe, think smart.
R.I.P Akeem.
Condolences to the family.
I sometimes wonder how visitors manage sometimes on our roads. All I can say is that we have to use a lot of common sense on our roads. R.I.P Akeem. You were one of the few respectful young men around. Will miss that warm greeting.
hes a person that we will truly miss and if its my will i ask god to forgive him from his sins and give him a chance to be in the right place. my heart goes out to hia love one and friends. R.I.P OCHO
RIP Ocho.
He was a much loved child in his family. I will lift up his family, loved ones, child(ren) and friends in my prayers. Akeem, I hope you knew God so that on the first trumpet sound, you will resurrect.
Imagine if I was given one moment,
just a single slice of my past.
I could hold it close forever,
and that moment would always last.
I'd put the moment in a safe,
within my hearts abode.
I could open it when I wanted,
and only I would know the code.
I could choose a time of laughing,
a time of happiness and fun.
I could choose a time that tried me,
through everything I've done.
I sat and thought about what moment,
would always make me smile.
One that would always push me,
to walk that extra mile.
If I'm feeling sad and low,
if I'm struggling with what to do.
I can go and open my little safe,
and watch my moment through.
There are moments I can think of,
that would lift my spirits everytime.
The moments when you picked me up,
when the road was hard to climb.
For me to only pick one moment,
to cherish, save and keep,
Is proving really difficult,
as I've gathered up a heap!
I've dug deep inside my heart,
found the safe and looked inside,
there was room for lots of moments,
in fact hundreds if I tried.
I'm building my own little library,
embedded in my heart,
for all the moments spent with you,
before you had to part.
I can open it up whenever I like,
pick a moment and watch it through,
My little library acts as a promise,
I'll never ever forget you
Rest In Peace Nikki! God please give his family, friends and love ones the strength they need to get by each day!
in Rod Town for many people. These things exists outside of any metropolitan
cities. Take new york city as an example they are Westside highway and Eastside Highway
an all street between them. Highways are design for every other place beside Road Town
there is no need to be speeding in Road Town and It need to come to a stop.
Our planners did a lousey job planning this. It need to be adressed propery or it will
always have unnecessary accident and untimley deaths as a result.
They was to remain and treated as roads and street whereby local speed lime will be applicable.
Just imagine if were only allow to do 10 mph between roudabout and stop light, my friend ocho
could have been alive today. RIP my friend.
Rest In peace Sir, my sincere condolences to the family and friends.
We will understand it better By and By,. we cannot understand it now.
Help us Lord hera our cry as we humbly beg for comfort and peace at this time . Let this be a lesson to all young people that at any age you can depat this life. Live for God young people ...Live for God...
RIP my friend RIP.