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UPDATE: Tourist dies while snorkelling in VG

January 7th, 2012 | Tags: tourist snorkeling dies Savannah Bay beach
The incident occurred around 1 and 1:30 pm. Photo: bvidreamvilla.com
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – John McWhinne, an American tourist who came to enjoy the beauty of the Virgin Islands, died yesterday Friday January 6, 2012 while snorkelling in the Savannah Bay area, Virgin Gorda.

Acting Chief Inspector Jacqueline Vanterpool, confirmed to this agency that the incident occurred between 1 and 1:30 p.m.

However, while she could not provide further details, Virgin Islands News Online was told by an eyewitness that the 43-year-old Caucasian male was snorkelling with his wife when they began to face strong sea currents.

The wife was rescued by a swimmer, who began to search for the husband. The swimmer and police found McWhinne about 10 to 12 feet from where he and his wife were snorkelling and pulled him onto the beach to perform CPR, the eyewitness disclosed.

And when Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR) arrived, they too tried to resuscitate McWhinne, but it was too late. His body was subsequently transported to the Peebles Hospital morgue.

The couple, this news agency was told, who were guests at a VG resort hailed from New York City.

Police are investigating the incident.

11 Responses to “UPDATE: Tourist dies while snorkelling in VG”

  • Why are all these tourist dying in the VI (06/01/2012, 18:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sorry to learn about another death.
  • heads up (06/01/2012, 18:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    this is just happening too often...something is wrong!
  • billy b (06/01/2012, 18:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    hmm
  • trust and obey (06/01/2012, 19:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hope this is not another case of someone looking for insurance dollars…I pray that Jehovah brings them comfort!
  • Janet Williams (07/01/2012, 00:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    what about these beach warners deman?
  • God child (07/01/2012, 08:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am calling on all the prayer warriors to pray it's a spirit we need to brake it in Jesus name NOW and send it back to hell. Come on everybody lets pray thank you.
  • collections (07/01/2012, 08:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    RIP and all the best to the family
  • Concerned (09/01/2012, 14:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is sad to hear when someone dies while on vacation and it is happenning a little too often...I believe that more education needs to take place in regards to visitors coming to enjoy our beaches. For some of the visitors, this might be there first time in the sea, might sound strange, but it is true...and do not understand how the currents work...and I know that some of them do not listen when you have to talk to them about not swimming when it is rough, but we still have to try and educate them as much as possible...also, we need lifeguards to be present when the ships are in especially because there would be more persons on the beaches then normal...


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