Veteran calypsonian, Mighty Conqueror (Leroy Paul) was killed last  night, a few yards away from the calypso tent In Trinidad where he was due to appear in as part of the 2011 calypso season which opens hereon Friday.

Paul, 71, was hit by a car as he tried to cross the highway near the Calypso Revue Tent that features popular calypsonians such as Sugar Aloes, (Michael Osuna) and Crazy (Edwin Ayoung) Might Chalkdust (Dr. Hollis Liverpool) and Baron (Timothy Watkins Junior).

Colleagues said that Paul, whose popular tunes include Trinidad Dictionary and Fresh Water Yankee, was on his way to rehearsal when the accident occurred.

The calypso season opens here on Friday night as Trinidadians get ready for the annual Carnival celebrations that end on March 8. (CMC)