Junction, St Elizabeth — Former West Indies fast bowler turned politician Daren Powell yesterday expressed shock and grief at the news of the passing of former teammate, batsman Runako Morton, who died in a car crash in central Trinidad late Sunday.

"When I heard this morning it kinda tear me up," Powell told journalists shortly after being nominated as the ruling People's National Party (PNP) candidate for the Malvern Division (South East St Elizabeth) in local government elections set for March 26.

"He was a very good friend of mine, it is very sad," said Powell who played alongside Morton for the West Indies on a number of occasions over the past several years. Powell expressed hope that Morton's family will "find it possible to heal as quickly as possible".

Morton, 33, played 15 Tests and 56 ODIs and seven Twenty20 matches from 2002 to 2010 for the West Indies.

He was driving home alone on his way back from a club cricket match on Sunday night when the accident occurred on the Solomon Hochoy Highway in central Trinidad.

The West Indies Cricket Board wrote on Twitter to express "our deepest condolences to Runako Morton's family. Such devastating and tragic news."

From the tiny island of Nevis, Morton represented the Leeward Islands in regional cricket, but later turned out for Trinidad & Tobago after marrying a Trinidadian and migrating to that country.

"We lost a True Warrior. WI crcketer Runako Morton — may his soul rest in peace!" Former West Indies captain Chris Gayle tweeted. "Our memories together Live On! My condolences to his family."