 |
Andre Hendrickson [right]
A father-of-four lost his life in a road accident at the weekend, two days before his son’s 12th birthday.
Andre Hendrickson, 41, was walking along North Shore Road, Devonshire, when he was struck by a car in the early hours of Saturday.
He died from his injuries at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.
It is not yet known what Mr. Hendrickson, of Southampton, was doing in the area at the time of the accident. Members of the nearby Mid Atlantic Boat Club said he was not known in the vicinity and did not frequent the club. Police arrested a 27-year-old man from Hamilton Parish at the scene on suspicion of impaired driving and causing death by dangerous driving. He was released on bail after passing an alco-analyser test.
Mr. Hendrickson was a former officer with the Bermuda Police Service and a keen sportsman. He was a goalkeeper for Boulevard Blazers, Devonshire Colts and Somerset Trojans, and a wicketkeeper for Cleveland County, the Police cricket team and Willow Cuts.
Last night Dexter Basden, former Willow Cuts captain, said: “Andre played for us for five to six years and travelled on numerous tours. The whole Willow Cuts family is taken aback by this. It’s not a good time. “He was a very good sportsman, both in cricket and soccer. He was a nice guy, down-to-earth, and would help anybody in need. He didn’t give anybody no trouble, he was a good guy.”
Mr. Hendrickson, a pilot for the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation, was married with four children. Yesterday, one of his sons just turned 12 years old. Family friend Norbert Simons said: “The family are doing quite well considering the circumstances, but Andre will be greatly missed by family, friends and co-workers.” Mr. Simons, Director of Youth, Sport and Recreation, first got to know Mr. Hendrickson as a young football coach for Somerset Juniors.
“Andre was a very likeable person. He was an outgoing individual and was very religious,” said Mr. Simons.
A Police spokesman said yesterday: “The Bermuda Police Service extends sincere condolences to Mr. Hendrickson’s family and friends. An investigation into this matter is ongoing.
“Police continue to appeal for any witnesses to this incident, particularly anyone who may have known of Mr. Hendrickson’s whereabouts between midnight and 1.15 a.m. on Saturday.”
My sincere sympathy goes out to this family. This cannot be a birthday that a 12 year old would want to remember. Having to live with this is going to prove difficult for this boy. I hope he gets all the support he require to get through this phase of his life.