By Brittany Brewster
Friends of Molyn Prince are still in shock over the sudden passing of the 52-year-old farmer who became this year’s third road fatality.
Around 12:39 a.m. on Friday, police said they received a report that a pedal cyclist had fallen into a ravine off the roadway at Around-the-town, St. Peter. It was then confirmed by a sibling that the deceased was Prince of Central Drive, Heywoods Park, in the same parish.
In an interview with Barbados TODAY, one friend, who did not want to have her name used said she was hurt about the entire situation, noting that hours before Prince’s passing they were partying together at a bar in celebration of a friend’s birthday.
“Last night while we were partying, we got the call about what happened and I just ran down the road to where he was. When I saw him in the gutter I just took off my shoes and went in the gutter with him because I thought he was just unconscious.
“I was tapping him to wake him up. I kept saying ‘Prince get up’, but after a couple minutes, I realized he was gone and everything went blank so I just held him in my hands even when his sisters came,” she said.
The Farm Road resident who nicknamed the deceased “Prince Charming” said coping with his death has been very hard for her because she views Prince as the father she never had.
“He was such a sweet soul, he was very, very nice. If I had to ask for a father I would ask for him because he was always like a father to me,” she lamented.
Recalling her last moments with him she said on her way to the bathroom she jokingly asked Prince if he was good and he responded yes, but she didn’t see when he left on his bicycle.
Adding that she did not leave his side until Two Sons Funeral Home took his body away, she said she had only slept two hours as she still cannot believe she would not be seeing her Prince Charming anymore.
When Barbados TODAY visited Andrea’s Souse Bar and Grill which Prince frequented at Farm Road, St Peter, close friends of the latest victim affectionately known as Uncle Prince gathered in celebration of the farmer’s life.
One friend who gave his name as Kemmy said it was hard to speak about Prince without tears falling. “Prince was a good guy,” he noted.
“He was a very, very, very cool fella. We raised animals together, we did a lot of things together but unfortunately when it’s your time, it’s just your time but I’m going to miss him,” he said.
Another close friend Cleaveland said Prince was very reliable. He also stated that no matter the distance if he wanted something done Prince would come.
“He would find the time. No matter where you lived and how busy he was, even if he had to leave his job to come to you, he would come. He was a very good man, very kind and very helpful, he said.
Resident, Anthony Walker who lives opposite the ravine where Prince died said he was awoken by his dogs after 11:30 p.m. and on looking outside to see what was happening he was met with loud screams and crying.
“I’m usually a deep sleeper but I kept hearing my dogs barking, so I got up and looked through the kitchen window. When I peeped out I could see a bicycle in the bushes and a man in the gutter. I saw people hollering and crying and holding their heads and telling Prince to get up,” he recalled.
The Around the Town resident also recalled seeing Prince pass his house every day on his bicycle, noting that he was very nice and always greeted him.
“Prince was a very nice and pleasant fella and he is very liked in this neighbourhood. I’m sorry to see how he gone home,” he said.
brittanybrewster@barbadostoday.bb
