37-Year-Old Bank Employee Collapses, Dies At ‘Soaka Till Sunrise’ Fete In Chaguaramas
A man is dead shortly after collapsing at a Carnival fete at O2 Park in Chaguaramas on Sunday morning (25th January, 2026). The deceased has been identified as 37-year-old Vishal Sookhoo of Red Hill, Arouca, who was a Senior Loans Officer at ANSA Bank.
According to reports, Vishal was attending the Soaka Till Sunrise fete with a group of friends, when he complained of feeling unwell and suddenly collapsed, around 7:45 AM.
Friends and on-site medical personnel immediately rendered assistance. He was subsequently conveyed to the St. James Medical Complex, where he was pronounced dead on arrival at 8:45 AM.
An autopsy has been ordered to ascertain the exact cause of death.
A packet of non-prescription pills was allegedly found in Vishal’s possession, although authorities could not confirm what type of pills they are or whether he had consumed any. Officials have urged the public not to speculate on the cause of death, noting that autopsy results are pending.
A Senior Police Official confirmed that “there was no foul play involved” and suggested that Vishal may have suffered the effects of mixing pills with alcohol. The official cautioned that, “Drugs and alcohol do not mix. It does not matter even if it is prescribed medication — it can pose a serious danger to your life. One should always exercise personal responsibility, especially when partying. Please stay away from drugs.”
Soaka Till Sunrise, organized by WoW Events, is a popular Jouvert-style event held during the Carnival Season.
Speaking with the Trinidad Express at his home in D’Abadie, Vishal’s father, Jairam Sookhoo, said his son went to the gym three (3) times per week and was taking medication for a stomach issue. He also criticized some on social media for implying that his son used “recreational pills” when he had really been using medication to coat his stomach.
Vishal’s father, who showed his scars from having quadruple bypass surgery years ago, said some people were “implying that my son used drugs and that was not the case at all. For someone to be making accusations against my son...no!” he said. “He had stomach issues and he uses medication to coat his stomach but when one says pills, it [suggests] a certain thing.”
He added, “It may have been a heart-related event as he was my son but we are not going to know anything until the autopsy.”
According to the father, “He and his friends [also] liked to lime. They work hard for their money, they plan their lime and they limed.”
He said his son was a Senior Loans Officer at ANSA Bank and was scheduled to collect a company vehicle later that day. “They [ANSA Bank] had recently promoted him and for someone to be making these accusations against him, it was not right,” he said.
Hours earlier, Jairam visited the St. James Medical Complex, where he identified the body of his son.
Vishal was described by relatives as hardworking and dedicated.
Investigations are continuing into the circumstances surrounding his death.
More on this as it becomes available.
[Source: Trinidad Express]
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