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Tourist dies in boating accident @JvD

March 23rd, 2023 | Tags: Fatal Accident boat accident tourist dinghy RVIPF
The fatal accident took place in Great Harbour, Jost van Dyke last night, March 22, 2023. Photo: Google Earth
GREAT HARBOUR, Jost van Dyke- A tourist was pronounced dead following a lone boating accident on Jost van Dyke last night, March 22, 2023.

Unconfirmed reports reaching our newsroom are that the dinghy collided with a fallen tree in the water at Great Harbour, in the vicinity of Foxy's Restaurant and Bar.

The fatal accident took place just before midnight.

Police have also confirmed reports of the tragedy.

"The RVIPF confirms a lone boating accident which took place just before midnight last night off Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke. The one male occupant was found unresponsive in the waters with injuries to the head while the dinghy he was in was met circling in the area. Following attempts to resusitate him, he was pronounced dead," Police Media Liaison Diane L. Drayton stated today, March 23, 2023.

Ms Drayton said no further information is available at this time.

45 Responses to “Tourist dies in boating accident @JvD”

  • WTF (23/03/2023, 10:47) Like (74) Dislike (10) Reply

    A dinghy collided with a fallen tree in the water? What a £"$%& shame and disgrace. These greedy @%% politicians are not doing the right and most important things. There are sunken boats all over the place since 2017 hurricanes, which pose dangerous threats to boaters and these morons spending huge sums of money on all kinds of frivolous bull sh**. Why a person had to lose their life by a fallen tree in the water? Why the hell that tree was not removed? Nobody gives a "%^&* about safety and the well being of residents and visitors. Why do we have a Tourist Board? What is their function? I will think at the very least a function should be making the territory safe and attractive for visitors. Our visitors come here at their own risk. My sincere condolences to the family of this man. I am sorry for your loss.

    • hmm (23/03/2023, 11:41) Like (16) Dislike (5) Reply
      I agree with this 100%
    • Lucifer morningstar (23/03/2023, 14:45) Like (4) Dislike (30) Reply
      They on their own and they will never stop coming so that's that. Being a visitor and operating a dinghy at midnight isn't wise. With that being said ni99as die every day B.
      • Linda (23/03/2023, 18:01) Like (11) Dislike (10) Reply
        Why was he even on a dinghy around midnight and driving so fast that it killed him? Sounds like he was intoxicated because who does that in unknown waters? Sorry for his death and condolences to his family.
        • Common Sense (26/03/2023, 12:44) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
          Hey A$$hole! There are 3 details in a tiny article and you’ve already drawn conclusions that he was intoxicated and driving too fast? Not only that, but you found your speculative opinion to be soooo important that you needed to share it with others? A person lost his life. Have some £u€k;ng compassion!
          Reading this article because I knew a family member. For everyone posting negative, BS responses, go find a hobby and shut tf up!
          • Empathy (27/03/2023, 10:49) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
            Thank you thank you thank you, thank you for your comments, the empathy you are showing is very much appreciated. To all others, Let the poor family grieve in peace. They have lost a son, brother, father and more to them , their souls are broken. As someone who knows this family I beg you people to stop with your negativity. You do not know the details. Please, leave your ignorant comments to yourselves. Let them heal from their horrible and tragic loss. Be human.
      • family (26/03/2023, 13:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        You’re an idiot hiding behind a computer!
    • The watchman (23/03/2023, 19:54) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
      It is sad that John Q public keep blaming the politicians for everything when the BVI used to be a community that fixed the problem themselves. This is sad. Garbage right outside someones yard and they making noise that goverment need to clean it up. Sad people, real sad. It is everyone in JVDs fault that knew there was a fallen tree but did not about it. People stop the foolishness.
  • saying (23/03/2023, 11:27) Like (20) Dislike (8) Reply
    Sorry for the loss,but traveling at a speed of 5knots in the harbour cannot cause such severe injuries.RIP
    • big daddy (08/09/2023, 11:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Completely untrue statement. I've been tipped out of a dinghy while sober while moving at less than 1kt. You can be killed by a prop at dock if the engine is in gear.
  • T (23/03/2023, 11:48) Like (28) Dislike (4) Reply
    What kind of nonsense comment that is what politicians have to do with tree in water do thay know tree was ther that person has to be high
    • @T (23/03/2023, 12:04) Like (30) Dislike (7) Reply
      No - the comment is 100% true and accurate. Those controlling the public purse and making decisions on our behalf since 2017 should have had the waters around ALL busy harbors cleared of any debris from the storms. The clean up following the hurricanes across the board is a disgrace.
  • resident (23/03/2023, 12:32) Like (30) Dislike (2) Reply
    Pointing fingers is what we do best in this territory. Nobody thinks what can I do. It's always somebody else's responsibility. I agree with the poster that traveling at a slow speed in the harbor should not result in a death. Was the management at Foxy aware of the tree in the water? Did they bring it to the attention of the Tourist Board or other relevant authority. Did they try to get rid of it themselves? What about Public Works on the island. Is it something that they themselves could have looked at? We need to stop keep pointing fingers and see how we can help. It's our territory. It's all of us that will pay the price. Safety for tourists is very important and should be taken very seriously.
  • Ho,ho (23/03/2023, 12:43) Like (21) Dislike (4) Reply
    That tree as been there for years.no light,to fast,ad probably drunk
    • vi (24/03/2023, 01:23) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      when was the last time u been at jvd for ur information the tree has on lights so be careful what u saying if u don't live in jvd
      • @vi (24/03/2023, 06:41) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
        So you mean to tell me they put lights on a tree in the ocean to warn us that it’s there when they could have gotten some strong rope and a barge, a good diver to attach the rope to the tree, and pulled it away to have it removed? Why wasn’t that done? There must be someone who should have been responsible for getting things done. Where did the ball drop? As usual, we always wait until someone dies. I bet you now they will remove the tree like they should have years ago. Took losing a life for action to be taken. Our BVI is not being run and handled as it should. No one takes responsibility for their duties. We are our worse enemies.
    • stfu (27/03/2023, 10:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You don’t know ! Stfu then
  • get rid ah dem (23/03/2023, 13:00) Like (26) Dislike (13) Reply
    The VIP were busy arranging retirement packages and didnt had time to remove that tree.
  • ok (23/03/2023, 13:56) Like (14) Dislike (9) Reply
    Mitch wa you saying. Did you do your best to address this debri in the waters at one of our major tourist sites? Let me hear the lies. I am waiting..
    • Smh. (23/03/2023, 14:25) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
      This problem was there before Mitch. That tree was there since after hurricane Irma. What about the minister who was appointed office from back then? No but ayo want Mitch to clean up all of them mess in 11 months.

      PS. Before passing blame, they need to do a toxicology report.
      • ok (23/03/2023, 22:00) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        Mitch was in office since 2015.
      • Hmm (24/03/2023, 06:00) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        Toxicology report or not. If the stomp had not been there in the first place would it have cause the accident for the person to fall in. Mitch is the representative for the district. The same stomp he would pass coming into the harbor to attend not so ordinary parties, is this same harbour he enters to give out money.
        • ..... (25/03/2023, 03:58) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
          Chupes. Mitch has been in office for 11 months. He was appointed to that post when "Head coach" was taken into custody. What about the minister who was in office prior to Mitch? He was appointed to that post for almost 3 years... a whole 36 months.
      • family (26/03/2023, 13:36) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        Alcohol didn’t put the tree there!
  • rip (23/03/2023, 15:17) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sorry to the family of the man who died.

    A hazard in the water should be lit at least, if not removed. Driving responsibly is also important, with kill cord.
  • NEGLIGENCE OR INCOMPETENCE ? (23/03/2023, 15:31) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Whoever is responsible for keeping the shore line clean , should be able to explain why that tree was not removed before this tragedy happened ???? and if it was reported to the people who is supposed to running the country and nothing was done , then they should be held accountable ( maybe it was expected to grow, or just another tourists attraction ? ????
  • Please again (23/03/2023, 18:27) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    The dead trees hanging over the highway at Paraquita Bay from Bi Water to the turn off for Agricultural Dept need to be taken down. Simply a Hymac to break the dry branches hanging over the road with its bucket and clear the area. I spoke about this before....reading this tragic story makes me wonder if no one else sees this danger. Also the pot holes on the highway need to be filled. We have visitors driving at night who don't know the road condition. These are simple things that make life safer for all. Please Again even though I should not have to beg and plea.
  • old (23/03/2023, 20:10) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everyone want to run for election..How come none of them see that tree.. From 20 17 that tree never move.. That turnbull man is a wase of time he need to go. Poor man lose is life. Shame on you turn bull
    .
  • King Charles (23/03/2023, 22:26) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    I bet you the tree that was sitting there for almost 6 years will finally be removed. Something is seriously wrong with this place. It’s always as if someone has to die before we realize that hazardous situations need to be addressed.
  • @ KING CHARLES ???? (24/03/2023, 06:22) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    YOU GOT THAT RIGHT ✅️ ???? AND THESE JOKERS WHO'S ONLY DESIRE IS TO LIVE A LIFE OF SPREADING PROPAGANDA , LETS SEE HOW THEY CAN TWIST AND TURN THIS ONE INTO THEIR FAVOURITE ( RACISM & COLONIALISM LYRICS ) WHICH THEY ARE THE BEST IN CREATING PURE DRAMA , GO ON BLONDIE LETS HEAR YOU HOLLER
  • Linda (24/03/2023, 13:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Now we all know to keep away from that tree stump in the future until it is removed.
  • friend (24/03/2023, 15:22) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Watch your comments. There is a family without a son, a daughter without a father and friends without that smiling face left in their lives.
    • Another friend (24/03/2023, 17:17) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      It was a 33 yo father who went on vacation to grieve the loss of his wife with his daughter. They died 6 months apart to the day. Now this 4 yo little girl and 16 yo son have no parents. I don’t know how or why this happened but all of you who have said something negative about him, should think about if it had been one of your family members you would be lost, hurt and confused. Be kind people. This could happen to you. Instead of complaining and making false accusations, make a collective effort to get the stump and other stumps removed so this beautiful island does not have an ugly history that will deter tourist and the money they bring with them. Written with great sadness and heartache.
    • NC Family Friend (24/03/2023, 17:38) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
      Thank you for your respect. Yes, I am friends with the family and what you don’t understand is that this young man lost his wife from colon cancer six months again and leaves behind a 4 year old daughter and 16 year old son. It’s horrible and sad these two children will grow up without a mom and dad now. Please have respect for this family because they are mourning the loss of their son, brother, and father. Hopefully the tree/stump will be removed so this will hopefully save a life instead of take one. Don’t place blame and judge unless you know the facts. Thank you for your prayers .
  • 16 yo son (24/03/2023, 18:40) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    F**k everyone who has something to say about my father he was not intoxicated whatsoever you go on about your f**kin day and worry about your own life.
    If you got nothing good to say keep it to yourself, you all should be the ones gone not him. Especially whoever lucifer is.
    • Hedrick (25/03/2023, 22:02) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      If you ever need me, you know where to find me..
    • duke (26/03/2023, 16:31) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Your dad was a fine man. I will truly miss him. I trusted my life to this great warrior. And will be here for you or your sister if you ever need anything.
    • Empathetic Mother of 2 (27/03/2023, 22:50) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      I am so sorry for your loss. I am so sorry we live in a day and age where you have to read these ignorant comments. Keyboard warriors who would never say these comments to your face. Just ignore them. Delete them. Just stop reading them. I know you are hurting. I feel your pain and care deeply for you at this time. Your father was a good man. A moment in time cannot define any man - no matter what happened, no one deserves this. The life he led, the grief he was under - he is loved. Take care of yourself and your sister. Your dad would be proud of you for that. Peace be with you.
  • His friend (24/03/2023, 21:11) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    This man that everyone is so quick to judge was a damn good human; a caretaker to his now deceased wife, a loving father, and a man that never bailed on his friends even when others would. This loss of life, and his absence, will be impossible to measure. RIP my friend.
  • duke (26/03/2023, 16:37) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    This man was a true warrior who I trusted with my life. He was a smart and responsible adult who had only one priority which was his family. He left his mark on many in this world. To everyone talking sh1t slow your role.
  • Old neighbor (29/03/2023, 12:42) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This couple were lovely neighbors. He was a great husband and father. If you don’t know, keep negative comments to yourself. I will pray for their little girl and son every day and am wrapping my arms around the family.
  • Friend of Family (29/03/2023, 13:49) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The deceased was a son, father, step-father and a United States Marine. The family is now grieving yet another tragic loss. Please show respect to the family and refrain from useless, negative comments that disparage this dad and hero.


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