Tuesday, February 23, 2010Police investigate traffic accident
Police Information OfficerPolice investigate traffic accident, one confirmed death
Police are investigating a traffic accident that has resulted in the death of one tourist and seven others injured.
Earlier this morning at Peebles Hospital, 24-year-old Aaron Humphry of the United States, died as a result of injuries sustained in the accident.
Initial inquiries indicate that twenty cruise ship passengers off the Caribbean Princess were on a tour bus descending onto the Windy Hill Road on Tortola when the driver struck an embankment and the vehicle overturned.
Peebles Hospital emergency personnel responded immediately to the scene and were joined by Police and Fire and Rescue services.
Seven passengers were taken to the hospital while the other 13 passengers were assessed at the scene and taken back to the cruise ship. Five were treated and discharged while one passenger has been retained for a fractured shoulder bone. The driver was treated and released.
Commenting on the incident, Commissioner of Police Reynell Frazer said, "Our Traffic Investigation Unit will do a thorough investigation into the cause of this accident. I have personally extended sympathy on behalf of the BVI Government to the family and have promised to keep them informed on the progress of the investigation."
Acting Director of the Tourist Board Hadassah Ward expressed her sympathy to the family of the deceased.
"For our visitors to come to enjoy our territory and meet such a fate is regrettable. We are saddened by this unexpected incident and the BVI Tourist Board has deployed the Coordinator of the Tourist Board's Visitor Support Service Programme Albert Wheatley who is presently with the family and assisting them with liaising with the appropriate authorities," she said.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and the BVI Tourist Board are working together with the cruise ship's agent to provide all the necessary assistance.
This is the first fatal traffic accident for the year.