Thirty-two-year-old Coast Guard official Dion Charles succumbed to his injuries following an accident along the Claude Noel Highway in Tobago, near the Signal Hill traffic lights, shortly before 11 p.m. on Tuesday.

Charles was the son of Allan Stewart, director of the Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), who was asleep on Tuesday night when he received a call that his son was involved in an accident.

"It is a trying moment for the family and we are trying to cope with this great loss... it's not the way that a father would wish to lose a son," Stewart said yesterday.

Stewart was one of several members of TEMA who assisted the 23 soldiers and civilians injured on Sunday at Charlotteville after an accident involving a military vehicle.

Stewart said after saving the lives of those injured on Sunday, now to lose his son he has no choice but to leave the matter in the hands of God.

"This is one painful period for me, seeing that I spent the entire Sunday night into Monday morning trying to save the lives of others and I was not there for my son. I was not able to save his life," Stewart lamented.

Stewart said he is thankful for the comfort he has been receiving from members of TEMA, the Defence Force and members of the Coast Guard.

"This is a good soul... Dion Charles was a very wonderful son, was a gentleman, a very good service man in the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard. I am pleading with drivers utilising the roads to do so with care and in consideration for other people's lives," he said.

According to police reports, Charles was driving his Kia east along the Claude Noel Highway, when a white BMW convertible slammed into him. Charles was pinned behind his steering wheel and had to be extricated by Fire Service officials.

Charles suffered injuries to his leg and arms, and had difficulty breathing. He was rushed to the Scarborough Regional Hospital, but died on the emergency table.

The driver of the other vehicle was also hospitalised, nursing injuries to his face and arm.

Corporal Thomas and acting Sergeant Alleyne, of the Old Grange Police Station, visited the scene and are continuing investigations.