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LAST RUB OF LOVE * Hubby speaks of final moments with wife and unborn child

Norman GrindleyCarlton Kirlew mourns the death of his pregnant wife July 27,2005.

HAVING CARESSED HIS pregnant wife's belly last week, Carlton Kirlew never knew later that day he would be widowed and his unborn child would die.

"Well, a not even know what to tell yu," Kirlew told THE WEEKEND STAR. However, he drew on everything he had and went back to the fateful day, when his wife was killed in a motor vehicle accident along the Pepper main road in St Elizabeth.

"Afta me say goodbye me turn back an say mek me feel de baby for de lass time," he said reliving the moment.

Kirlew's wife, 43-year-old Veral, was diabetic, and was on her way to the Mandeville Hospital to deliver her baby by Caesarean section.

While her family was worried about the operation, this proved to be the least of their problems. Veral was killed at approximately 11:30 a.m. when a Toyota Corolla motor car slammed into the Toyota Camry vehicle in which she was travelling.

Carlton and Veral Kirlew had been happily awaiting the eighth addition to their family, Tiffany Brianna Kirlew, but fate determined he would never meet his daughter, nor see his wife alive again.

"Me tink de nex time mi se har de baby a go inna har hand," he explained as he became choked with tears, realising that was indeed the last time he felt his wife and child.

"Afta mi mount de bicycle me turn back an say 'all right, tomorrow'. She say. 'Bring someting for me.' He said this used to be her ritual before he left each day.

When THE WEEKEND STAR visited, the big yard already had a tarpaulin in place ready for the 'set-up' with many family members lingering around. Standing beneath a tree, Carlton, a small, thin, brown man, soft spoken and hurting, told his side of the story.

Carlton said he was at work at an agricultural school in the parish when a co-worker got the call. He said when the call came in nobody said anything to him but whispered among themselves.

He asked what was happening, but another call came in. This time he was told his wife had an accident. "I didn't recognise there is a death," he said. He then called his stepdaughter Melissa who had accompanied her mother but a man answered the phone. He says this is when he realised "someting serious going on." He said he enquired about the safety of his stepdaughter.

"Wat happen to har?" he asked the stranger, who said all he knew was that two ladies had died.

"One pregnant lady die?" Carlton said he asked, frightened. The stranger then confirmed his worst fears.

"I don't know wat happen afta dat, is like a get a shock," he quietly said.

The next thing he remembers is being brought to the scene but the body had already been removed. He said he then went to the hospital where he identified his wife's body.

Although he was told both persons had died, he later found out Melissa was alive but had broken her pelvic bone and ankle. She was transferred to the Kingston Public Hospital on Tuesday. Chances are she will miss her mother's funeral on Sunday.

On Tuesday, July 26, 2005, the couple should have celebrated 18 years of marriage. "There is no day dat pass dat a don't cry, every day, up to dis morning."

"I never know nothing like this in ma life would happen," he said barely audible. He then mumbled memories too soft to be heard but visible enough from the pain in his eyes.

"All now I trying to get back together. Every time a try, she jus come back to me. It's going to take a long time," he concluded.