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UPDATE: Jamaican man identified as drowning victim

Jamaican Ranceford George Burnett has been identified as the drowning victim of April 9, 2025. Photo: Facebook
Police removing the body of Ranceford George Burnett. from Carrot Bay last night. Photo: Team of Reporters
Police removing the body of Ranceford George Burnett. from Carrot Bay last night. Photo: Team of Reporters
A policeman checks on the body of the man who reportedly died by drowning this afternoon, April 9, 2025. Photo: Team of Reporters
A policeman checks on the body of the man who reportedly died by drowning this afternoon, April 9, 2025. Photo: Team of Reporters
CARROT BAY, Tortola, VI- The man who drowned while fishing on rocks at the 'Carrot Bay Point' yesterday, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, has been identified as Ranceford George Burnett.

Burnett, a Jamaica national residing in the territory and a heavy equipment operator, was swept off the rocks by a huge wave, according to reports.

See previous story published Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Man drowns after swept off rocks by wave in Carrot Bay

CARROT BAY, Tortola, VI- Reports reaching our News Centre are that there has been a drowning in Carrot Bay.

According to reports, a man was fishing on some rocks at the "Carrot Bay point", in the vicinity of the now demolished Isabella Morris Primary School when he was swept off the rocks by a massive wave.

The man was reportedly in the company of two other men, who ran to get assistance. 

The man's body was subsequently recovered by some local fisherman from Carrot Bay. 

The tragedy reportedly occurred sometime before 5:30 PM.

Police are on the scene where the body is being kept in a boat at the Fisherman's Ramp awaiting transportation.

More details to follow.

23 Responses to “UPDATE: Jamaican man identified as drowning victim”

  • Condolences (09/04/2025, 18:55) Like (52) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sad. Even dying doing what we loved. Condolences to the family and friends.
    • Yow (11/04/2025, 08:49) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Really sad news, he was a plus to us here in the BVI condolences to his family and may he rest easy!
  • NezRez (09/04/2025, 18:58) Like (28) Dislike (1) Reply
    Oh no! This is so sad. He went fishing to catch food, and a big wave knocked him down—condolences to his family and friends.
  • 911 (09/04/2025, 19:11) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    So sad
  • Mark (09/04/2025, 22:05) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    My boy jamdown life breda till we meet again
  • Blind fishing (09/04/2025, 22:24) Like (1) Dislike (51) Reply
    He couldn't see the wave coming or he was so concentrating on pulling in a fish. Rip
  • scat (10/04/2025, 00:52) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Condolences to the family! May He Rest In Peace!
  • Doll (10/04/2025, 03:07) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is such sad news. May his soul RIEP. Condolences to his family, friends and the Carrot Bay Community.
  • Jamdown (10/04/2025, 07:21) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bwoy Ronny mi caah believe gone RIP, don't know how yuh son Nick aguh tek this news when are if him nuh hear already
  • AJ (10/04/2025, 07:33) Like (33) Dislike (3) Reply
    Wow we use to fish behind there and there were two places behind there where we use to fish we use to have to pass over sone huge rocks but one New Years morning we were there and the fish were biting like crazy and my friend he was just catching fish but not paying attention and the water kept raising up on us and I realize that where we were standing on the rocks the water was just inches from our feet so I told him let’s go higher up because the water kept raising on us so we moved higher after a while the water had passed where we were standing before but the fish were biting and we were catching lots of fish and now I was getting really concerned because the fish were now coming up to where we were when we started to fish w we hen we got there in the beginning it seems like the fish were setting us up for the water to take us off the rocks and all of a sudden a wave came and s as l most sweep us off the rocks we had to fight to hold on to our buckets of fish and lines and that was my second incident there and I’ve never went back there again it’s like the fish and the water does be setting you up because your up on these tall rocks and all of a sudden out of no where these waves come and try to take you off the rocks when you least expect it condolences to the family people please be careful that water is like a living person just trying to set you up for the kill
    • Shh (11/04/2025, 09:15) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Touching sincere emotional narrative. Wonderfully expressed.."felt it to.may belly" Thank You!
  • 1st district original (10/04/2025, 07:36) Like (49) Dislike (0) Reply
    We are in lent season, the waters are rough on the North. Becareful sea lovers!
  • Be careful near water (10/04/2025, 10:41) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    I have a fear of being near water. That ocean water will swallow you up no matter how calm it looks and can be. A cousin of mine a couple of years ago was picking whelks along the rocky shore line and a wave took him out.
  • Cliffhanger (10/04/2025, 11:18) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    R,I,P in the arm of the almighty brother sorry to you gone but the name and friendship will go on
  • From the US (10/04/2025, 14:17) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Sending out my sincere condolences to family, friends and loved ones of the deceased.
  • All I will say (10/04/2025, 16:51) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why is it the good ones that live a good life doing the right things is the ones that is always taken away and the ones that is evil, doing bad things, living bad lives nothing seems to happen to them. Not that I am wishing anything bad on anyone.
  • very sad moment (10/04/2025, 19:43) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is a very sad moment for the Sea Cow's Bay community. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends Rodney were a pillar of positive energy, kindness, goodness, bravery. He was such a positive person emulating a patron who looks out for the community near and far. You will be missed my dear friend. As an operator of heavy equipment's, we knew that come rain or sunshine he was always patriotic. The service he did for our community and communities will never be forgotten. Until we meet again around the dominoes tables, the card tables, operating the backhoes and most of all fishing. Rest in peace my brother.
  • Baker man (10/04/2025, 21:41) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    My condolance to family rest in peace me breahen just give you shout couple days ago he his a quiet man.
  • From what I understand (10/04/2025, 22:08) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    He was a very nice man. Wow just out fishing to catch food and wow just like that. I hope he did not suffer. May he rest in peace.
  • tragedy (11/04/2025, 08:06) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Tragic the loss of life here. Living on and island and bring close to the sea its vital to learn to swim. It could save your life or the life of someone else. Do yourself and the community a favor and learn to swim. It’s never too late to learn.
    • @tragedy (11/04/2025, 12:50) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree that everyone should learn to swim. Sadly, too few of our people can. However, while being able to swim lessens the chance of dying by drowning, it doesn't mean that everyone who drowns can't swim.
  • Saddened (11/04/2025, 09:05) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    I felt this one here...Oh, Ronny! Gone too soon brother! Rest in Eternal Peace.
  • Vie (11/04/2025, 13:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ronnie, my heart is broken and empty right now, my friend, you will be missed, your Laughter was always a Blessings. Condolences to the family. You will always be loved by me. Bye mr. BURNETT LOVE ALWAYS.


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