HOURS after marrying off his only daughter, a well-known Durban attorney had to make funeral arrangements for his only son, who died when his sports car was involved in a horrific crash minutes after leaving the wedding venue.
Shivaan Bachoo, 27, a senior private banker at Investec Bank in uMhlanga, crashed his Honda S 2000 roadster in the vicinity of Spaghetti Junction late on Saturday night. He was alone in the vehicle, which was travelling in convoy with other wedding guests.
Paramedics said the only accident there that night involved a car that crashed from one level of the EB Cloete interchange to another.
Hours earlier Bachoo’s sister Dinisha and brother-in-law Raees Khan celebrated their union as husband and wife during a reception at the Westville Civic Hall.
The bridal couple left the venue at 10.30pm for their honeymoon at a hotel on the Durban beachfront. Shivaan’s parents, James and Joy Bachoo, left shortly afterwards for their home in Hillary.
At 10.45pm Shivaan left the venue in convoy with three other vehicles headed to his parents’ home. Fifteen minutes later, tragedy struck.
“Everything happened so fast, none of our relatives saw what led to or caused the accident. We are all baffled. They just heard a loud bang,” said James Bachoo.
His relatives rushed to the scene and called for help. Paramedics tried to revive Shivaan, but his injuries were too severe.
“Joy and I were still on our way home when we received the call. We were devastated,” said Bachoo.
“My daughter and Raees were a few minutes away from the hotel and when they found out Dinisha was inconsolable. We were just celebrating and now we had to think about making funeral arrangements.”
Dinisha added that while Shivaan’s death had left a huge void in their lives, they were holding on to the good memories.
“He was a typical big brother. During the planning of my wedding he got involved in every aspect – helping with the food-tasting, looking at décor and visiting wedding venues. He never wanted to miss out,” the grieving newlywed said. “Shivaan even insisted on driving me to the venue and continuously told me how beautiful I looked.”
Her brother’s wedding gift is still lying at her home and she said she was not ready to open it.
Said their father: “We are in shock; losing a child is not easy for anyone. Dinisha and Raees have cancelled their honeymoon and we are hoping that prayer and the support from our families will help us get through this difficult time.”
Bachoo described his son as loving and a devoted person.
“He was living his dreams. He studied and graduated with a BCom finance degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and landed himself a good job.
“He loved to play soccer and represented 1860 Rovers.”
Shivaan’s cousin and close friend Ashen Ramnath said they were like brothers.
“He was a remarkable person. We did everything together. I cannot believe he is gone.”
Close family friend Judge Shyam Gyanda expressed his condolences to the family.
“My wish is for God to give them strength and courage to bear this loss.”
Shivaan was cremated at the Clare Estate Crematorium on Sunday.
Police spokesman Major Thulani Zwane said it appeared that the vehicle was travelling on the N3 when the driver lost control and it went over the bridge: “He died at the scene.”
Sydenham police are investigating.