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It was one of the proudest and happiest days of Jagan Babwah’s life. It would also turn out to be his last.
The father-of-four walked his only daughter Camela up the aisle for her fairytale wedding at Cooling Castle Barn.
The 73-year-old London taxi driver had been looking forward to accompanying Camela, 35, in a chauffeur-driven white Rolls Royce to the historic venue.
Jagan became emotional as he gave Camela away and sat in the front row with wife Shanty to watch her tie the knot with sweetheart John Taylor.
He posed for photographs with family and friends in the picturesque surroundings.
Just two hours later Jagan was sitting at the top table enjoying the wedding feast when he developed a coughing fit.
Son Anill, 36, who was next to him could see his dad was choking on something he had eaten and handed him a glass of water.
His condition deteriorated and he was ushered outside while relatives patted his chest in an attempt to release the piece of meat which had become lodged in his throat.
He passed out and paramedics were called, but after suffering a cardiac arrest, attempts to resuscitate him failed.
Grandfather Mr Babwah, who lived in Copenhagen Road, Gillingham, was pronounced dead at the scene.
After a frantic family discussion headed by Jagan’s wife Shanty it was decided that the reception and evening party attended by 160 people should continue.
Bank worker Camela, speaking after the inquest into his death, said: “It’s what dad would have wanted. We have been planning the wedding for two-and-a-half years and he was forever talking about it.
“On the day I was getting changed he kept looking in the mirror. I was laughing and saying you are stealing my limelight.”
Camela, who lives in Chaucer Road, Gillingham, said: “As he was about to walk me down the aisle he started to cry. It was the first time I’ve seen him cry and it started me off.”
Dad-of-two Anill, who lives in Queens Road, Gillingham, told the inquest: “I was sat next to him. He was jovial. It was the first time he had been in a Rolls Royce and he was saying how nice it was.”
Anill, a systems analyst, described his dad as “the most unselfish man you could ever meet.
“Dad would have been angry if he thought his daughter’s wedding was cancelled because of him. His family meant everything to him.
“As he was about to walk me down the aisle he started to cry. It was the first time I’ve seen him cry and it started me off" - Jagan's daughter Camela
“We are all within walking distance of each other.”
The couple were married at the castle barn on Friday May 31.
Coroner Patricia Harding recorded a verdict of accidental death at the inquest in Maidstone this week. She gave the cause of death as inhalation of food.
Mrs Harding, addressing Anill and Camela said : “I am sorry. This is a very sad affair and for you it must be particularly difficult for Camela.”
