A seven-year-old Clayheights Primary School learner, Trent Tayden Pillay, lost his life following a tragic freak accident at his home in Caneside, Phoenix, on Thursday, 30 July, leaving his family and the community devastated.
Trent sustained a fatal head injury after an accident involving his grandfather’s vehicle in the family yard. He was rushed to the Unit 10 Clinic, where he sadly succumbed to his injuries a short while later.
Family, friends and members of the community gathered to bid Trent a final farewell when he was laid to rest on Sunday, 2 August, following an emotional funeral service.
According to his mother, Saleena Naidoo, the incident unfolded within seconds after Trent became excited when he realised his grandfather had arrived home.
“My dad was reversing into our yard when Trent opened the pedestrian gate and ran towards the van. He jumped onto the van expecting to grab onto the bull bar, but he missed it. He slipped off the vehicle and hit his head on the ground,” she explained.
Saleena described the incident as a tragic freak accident that no one could have foreseen.
“My children have always run to my dad whenever he arrives home, so there was nothing unusual about Trent running to greet him. That’s what makes this so heartbreaking. It happened in a split second,” she said.
As the family continues to come to terms with the devastating loss of their beloved son, they have also been left distressed by false information circulating on social media claiming that Trent had been knocked over by his grandfather.
Saleena said the rumours are completely untrue and have only compounded the family’s grief during one of the most difficult times of their lives. She said there was nobody who loved Trent more than his grandfather and hopes people will stop placing blame on a man who is mourning the loss of his beloved grandson.
“There’s nobody that loved Trent more than my dad. If my dad had the chance to slip off that van and lose his own life instead of my son, he would have done so without hesitation. He would give his life for my children,” said Saleena.
Through tears, Saleena remembered Trent as a child whose kindness and gentle nature touched everyone he met.
“He was the most humble and respectful child. He always had a smile on his face. Whether he knew someone or not, he would start talking to them. He was such a loving child. My son had a heart of gold. He brought so much happiness into our lives, and there isn’t a day that will go by without us missing him.”
Trent’s father, Branden Pillay, described the loss of his son as something he will never recover from.
“Trent was my life. I’d drop anything for him and give him everything he wanted. If I could trade places with him, I would ask God to take me and give him back. He was the most loving child, and I’m going to miss him so much. I will always love him,” he said.
Still overwhelmed with grief, Trent’s grandfather, Shaun Naidoo, said he is struggling to accept that his eldest grandson is gone.
“From the day he was born, he slept next to me. He didn’t want to be with anybody else until his very last day. I’m deeply hurt by what happened to my grandchild. I don’t know how I’m going to live without him. I would never intentionally hurt my grandchildren. I’d go to the ends of the earth for them. He was my eldest grandson, so loving, so caring and so respectful. Nothing else that can happen to me can compare to what I’ve lost. I lost my life when I lost my grandson,” the grandfather said.
Neighbour Jane Chetty said Trent had become part of her own family and that his passing had left an emptiness that would never be filled.
“Where do I start? I watched him grow from the time he was small. He was like my grandson. He was everything to us, the boss in my house – that’s the relationship we had. He was a loving, forgiving, passionate and obedient child. He was always eager to learn and try new things. He loved his siblings, parents and grandparents with all his heart. I’m broken inside knowing that I’m never going to see my child again.”
Community leader and IFP chairperson Kumarie Govender, who was among those who assisted the family immediately after the incident, said the tragedy had deeply affected everyone who knew Trent.
“There are simply no words that can ease the pain this family is experiencing. Trent’s passing is a heartbreaking tragedy that has left an entire family shattered. My deepest condolences go to his parents, grandparents, siblings and all who loved him.”
Govender appealed to the community to show compassion and sensitivity during the family’s time of mourning.
“I urge the community to refrain from spreading rumours or speculation about what happened. This was a tragic accident, and the family deserves the opportunity to grieve in peace. Let us honour Trent’s memory by keeping his loved ones in our prayers, supporting them with kindness and remembering him for the bright, loving and respectful little boy that he was.”
Trent was laid to rest on Sunday, 2 August, after family, friends and members of the community gathered to bid him a final farewell during an emotional funeral service.
