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UPDATE: Police Identify deceased in Pockwood Pond incident

-deceased has been identified as 55-year-old Noel Groves of Pockwood Pond.
The deceased has been identified as 55-year-old Noel Groves, a resident of Pockwood Pond. Photo: Team of Reporters
Police in the Virgin Islands (VI) have released the name of a man who perished on February 17, 2024, in a suspected chemical exposure-related death at Pockwood Pond. Photo: Facebook/File
Police in the Virgin Islands (VI) have released the name of a man who perished on February 17, 2024, in a suspected chemical exposure-related death at Pockwood Pond. Photo: Facebook/File
Information coming into Virgin Islands News Online is that one person has been confirmed dead and three others hospitalized following an incident at a barge this morning, February 17, 2023. Photo: VINO/File
Information coming into Virgin Islands News Online is that one person has been confirmed dead and three others hospitalized following an incident at a barge this morning, February 17, 2023. Photo: VINO/File
POCKWOOD POND, Tortola, VI – Police in the Virgin Islands (VI) have revealed the identity of a man who perished on February 17, 2024, in a suspected chemical exposure-related death at Pockwood Pond.

The deceased has been identified as 55-year-old Noel Groves, a resident of Pockwood Pond. 

On Saturday, February 17 at 9:00 am, the RVIPF said they received a report of an incident on a barge just off Pockwood Pond, Tortola, where three males entered a tank and subsequently became unconscious.

Police reported that one male was pronounced dead at the scene and three others were taken to Dr. Orlando Hospital for treatment.

The two at the hospital and have since been released police reported.

Police said investigations is still ongoing into the incident.

See the previous story published February 17, 2024

1 dead, 3 hospitalised following incident @ barge near Pockwood Pond 

POCKWOOD POND, Tortola, VI – Information coming into Virgin Islands News Online is that one person has been confirmed dead and three others hospitalized following an incident at a barge this morning, February 17, 2023.

Police in a release this morning, February 17, 2024, confirmed a report received regarding an incident on a barge near Pockwood Pond after 9 am today.

“Initial investigations suggest that a male entered a tank on the barge and lost consciousness. Two additional males entered to rescue him and also lost consciousness,” police said.

It remains unclear what was in the tank, however, sources told our Newsroom that it may have been an oil tank.

The police further added that all individuals have been recovered; however, one person is deceased, and their identity remains unknown.

“Three others are conscious but experiencing respiratory difficulties. They have been transported to Dr. Orlando Smith Hospital for treatment.”

Our News Centre will bring more information as it becomes available. 

31 Responses to “UPDATE: Police Identify deceased in Pockwood Pond incident”

  • Fan (17/02/2024, 12:17) Like (5) Dislike (27) Reply
    May the balm of gilead have been able to save this lost soul and heal the others?
  • WOW (17/02/2024, 12:39) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Wow
  • vex (17/02/2024, 12:47) Like (25) Dislike (2) Reply
    Rest brother your work is over
  • wtf? (17/02/2024, 13:06) Like (25) Dislike (2) Reply
    Carbon monoxide poisoning? RIP omg
  • WOW (17/02/2024, 13:11) Like (42) Dislike (7) Reply
    Responsibility of barge owner or deck master
    Any experience sailor know you have to ventilate a close compartment before entering.
    Sorry for those person
  • There (17/02/2024, 13:39) Like (17) Dislike (14) Reply
    Seems to be lots of freak accidents lately
  • UK Own (17/02/2024, 13:47) Like (59) Dislike (2) Reply
    Bvi needs Rules and regulations for safety of a lot of people in the work force. Labour and Health need work force training Departments.
    • Apenado (17/02/2024, 18:39) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
      Lo siento mucho que descanse en paz su alma triste final. Que Pena
    • OSHA (18/02/2024, 08:41) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      OSHA.L/ HAZMAT?? THERE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH MATERIAL AROUND TO COVER HEALTH AND SAFETY. VS. TRYING TO CREATE SOMETHING THATS ALREADY THERE. JUST NEED TO MAKE IT LAW AND ENSURE BUSINESSES ARE IN COMPLIANCE.
    • @UK Own (19/02/2024, 07:09) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      Please refer to the BVI Labor Code as amended 2012. It contains provisions for occupational health and safety for BVI employers. Not that there is a lot of evidence that there is much activity in this regard, as evidenced by this tragedy which appears unfortunately to be a classic case of confined space entry gone wrong. It is dubious there were entry procedures incluiding ventilation and atmospheric testing before and during entry. Did they even have a functioning and calibrated test meter.
  • … (17/02/2024, 14:05) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    Rest easy my friend…
  • Be Wise (17/02/2024, 14:18) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
    RIP Sponge, you were and entertaining soul. Sad.
  • nation (17/02/2024, 14:29) Like (1) Dislike (37) Reply
    Was it fentanyl?
  • OSHA/IOSH (17/02/2024, 15:41) Like (35) Dislike (1) Reply
    Was the air tested prior to entry? Were they trained to work in confined spaces? Did they have the appropriate PPE? Sad situation that resulted in a totally unnecessary and avoidable death.

    What’s next? Besides this unfortunate souls funeral?
  • Hunch (17/02/2024, 16:26) Like (6) Dislike (46) Reply
    The woman in the white dress strikes. Been awhile.
  • co-worker (17/02/2024, 18:41) Like (18) Dislike (7) Reply
    Boi sponge ya was a good you. Always working. Your slavery days are over. Rest well now your worries over
  • Hmm (17/02/2024, 19:38) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    RIP work aint everything if that comment is true this guy worked hard.
  • OSHA (17/02/2024, 19:50) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Breathing apparatus should be required for those kinds of tasks. Unfortunate incident. RIP to the vic and speedy recovery to the injured.
    • @ OSHA (19/02/2024, 07:16) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      What is required is recognition of confined spaces, devlopment and implementation of written entry procedures, including atmospheric testing and ventilation before and during entry with documentation of results, employee training on these procedures, and having an emergency plan in case things go wrong. Many confined space fatalities are would be rescuers. There are few reasons to enter any confined space wearing breathing apparatus. Requiring it means there is an atmospheric hazard by definition or why would you wear it?. What happens when the breating apparatus fails, or runs out of air (20 minutes)? Better to eliminate the hazard through ventilation as verified through air testing. There are lots of pretty affordable test instruments these days.
  • VGMass (18/02/2024, 11:24) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Saddened by this news, of a totally avoidable incident. Like others say, there should be rules and regulations in place, OSHA Rules at that to help minimize workplace injuries. These rules should be enforce in all jobs and careers so that people may know how to properly and safely work in these environments
  • Very traumatized heart broken (20/02/2024, 21:40) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    I concur company failed, big man kill sponge, I hope he is willing to compensate his family because there are several breaches on the company side. That's how people are not proactive at all, maybe things will change now after a workaholic, a committed best worker lost his life it is so tragic and must be very traumatic for his family, dying on the job trust me this hard, no last words, no goodbyes to family, friends or loved ones. Big man fe Tortola Concrete Limited. I hope you how we hurt and are grieving our best friend didn't say goodbye, you killed him.
    • @ Very traumatized and heart broken (23/02/2024, 13:06) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      I understand that you must be traumatized and heart broken, but I think that the fair and proper thing to do is have an investigation to see IF there were breaches and where responsibility for breaches would lie. You cannot say from a news article that there were breaches on the company's side, suppose it was the same hardworking employee that did not follow the standard operating procedures and that the said failure led to the tragedy. Ascertaining the relevant facts is what is key. Ultimately, he was indeed a jovial person who was very hardworking is untimely death is a real tragedy and I wish you and all those that are mourning his loss, God's peace and comfort during this difficult time.
  • El Demonio Negro (23/02/2024, 08:23) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    You all going tell me this THE BEST PICTURE YOU ALL GOT OF THIS MAN? Got to do better dude looking like a BASE HEAD who frr base on a regular.
  • wondering (23/02/2024, 09:53) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Where is he from ?
    He looks familiar
    What’s that on his head ?
    This is very sad news and could’ve been avoided
  • Sad (23/02/2024, 13:59) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh no It so sad. That's why we have to cherish people he was a cool guy. Very humerus and unique person, may his soul rest in peace. Condolences to his family and friends certainly he will be missed.
  • Carlton (25/02/2024, 13:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    RIP SPONGE. You were a great worker. You will surely be missed ????
  • Health and Safety (26/02/2024, 11:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Rest in Power!!! These freak accidents throughout the BVI are a wake up call, for all of us to wear our protective gears in our respective area of work, as well as, to ensure that our vehicles brakes and other mechanical parts are working effectively.

    Proverb: Use sleep mark death!!!
  • H (26/02/2024, 19:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    SPONGE was Jamaican..been here from 90s


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