Father's last kiss with his son

A devastated father last night vividly recalled the last moments he spent with his son, just two days before the toddler was killed in a tragic accident.

“He was being difficult with me that day,” Jason Stovell told us. “And I was trying to get him to give me a kiss all day. Then he gave me a hug and a kiss. That was the last time I saw him. That’s a good memory.”

The death of 21-month-old Nosaj Stovell, pictured, has shocked the island.

We understand the toddler had been in a taxi with two adults and after everyone got out at a Wyndham Hill, Hamilton Parish home, the boy was struck while the taxi was reversing.

It happened around 7:30pm on Wednesday and the boy was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Nosaj was born on January 26, 2012 and would have turned two next year.

Jason Stovell, 24, saw him for the last time on Monday when he returned him to his mother, d’Chelle Allen.

Ms Allen called him on Wednesday evening to tell him to come to the hospital and on arrival he was told what had happened.

Speaking about his son, Mr Stovell said: “I’m happy my son was the boy he was. A lot of people know my son across the island and that’s something worthwhile sharing.

“When you’re a parent, you expect your child to do something great [that is, make a lasting impression], and that’s something my son did.  A lot of people have stories about him — they have met him and he made himself known.”

Proud

He continued: “As a father, I’m proud of my son and I have a good lasting memory.”

Recalling the last time he saw Nosaj, Mr Stovell said: “His mother came to pick him up and he was all excited. He was playing and stuff.

“He was being difficult with me that day and I was trying to get him to give me a kiss all day. Then he gave me a hug and a kiss. That was the last time I saw him.”

Asked what Nosaj was like, Mr Stovell said: “He had his own character. He was his own person. He was outgoing and he was all you expected in a child.

“He slept all night. He took his naps. He ate all the time. I got what I was looking for in a child.”

Asked how he is feeling after the tragedy, Mr Stovell said: “I’m okay. I’m just taking a couple days to myself. I’m dealing with it the best way that I can. I have to come to terms with it.”

The Bermuda Police Service is investigating the incident and a family liason officer has been assigned to the family.

Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley last night expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family of Nosaj Stovell.

He said: “We need the community to rally around this family and give them our support and our prayers. I don’t think anyone, unless you have been directly impacted, can fathom the reality of this situation.

“The loss of any family or friend is devastating, but to lose someone so young is the worst punch in the stomach. In the long term I will personally reach out to the family, as I always do, and show our support.”