A talented South African chef working at billionaire Sir Richard Branson’s private Caribbean island in the British Virgin Islands tragically died in an electric buggy crash after a party at the plush location.
Per The Sun, the fatal Friday incident occurred at Branson’s famed Necker Island, which charges guests around $127,000 per night. Prior to the crash, departing guests on the island were treated to a farewell party that the chef, identified as 35-year-old Sihle Somdaka, attended.
The party was reportedly held at the Great House, which is situated on the island’s highest point and was previously Branson and his wife’s residence. Somdaka departed the party on an electric buggy not too long before midnight. He, however, reportedly lost control of the buggy before crashing it.
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Somdaka reportedly sustained a head injury and was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Authorities also said that a second individual involved in the crash is said to have received medical attention for “non-life threatening injuries.”
“He was found unconscious and appeared to have sustained a head injury. The island’s medic was immediately called to the scene and another from the nearby island of Moskito,” a source told The Sun.
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“They began CPR whilst arrangements were made to transport him by boat to Peeble’s Hospital on the island of Tortola. He was later pronounced dead.”
The source added: “Staff on the island are working with a number of local authorities to determine exactly what happened. A full investigation is being carried out into the circumstances.”
But a different source told the news outlet that the fatal crash happened as a result of the “culture of excess” on the island. “They’ve had very many close shaves and near misses over the years, but this is the first time someone has died,” the source claimed. “It was only a matter of time, but it should never have happened.”
Prior to gaining employment at Necker Island, Somdaka worked at Opa Doha in Doha and Razzmatazz in Kuwait. The chef also took to social media to share photos and videos of his activities on the private Caribbean island.
Meanwhile, a source also told The Sun that Branson had been left saddened by the fatal incident. “Sir Richard wasn’t on the island when the incident occurred but has been in close contact with the family and the Necker Island team,” the source said.
“This is of course his primary concern. He is understandably deeply saddened by the incident.”
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