Last Updated on February 3, 2025, 10:53 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The Royal St Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) received a report of a body floating at the Shitten Bay from the St Kitts and Nevis Defence Force Coast Guard between 11 am and 11:30 am on Saturday, February 1, 2025. After investigation, the body of a man was found motionless floating in the water.
The investigation revealed that the man was an 81 year old tourist, John Edward Jeffrey, a cruise passenger from London, England, aboard the cruise vessel Iona. He went snorkeling in the Shitten Bay but was soon found floating motionless in the water.
Reacting to the situation immediately, the people aboard a snorkeling tour vessel pulled him on the boat but could not save him despite their efforts. He was then transported to the Coast Guard pier, where he was pronounced dead.
An autopsy will soon be conducted to determine the cause of his death, with the police investigating the crime scene for crucial evidence.
The death of John Edward Jeffrey marked the third reported case in recent weeks, where a tourist died after drowning.
Similar incidents
Two similar incidents occurred in December 2024, where a tourist died after drowning in the water. The first such case was when Gemma Manegable from Canada was visiting aboard the cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, drowned at Carambola Beach Club in South Friar’s Bay, after swimming on December 17, 2024.
The Emergency Medical Services and a medical professional on-site, tried their best to save Gemma, but the young tourist could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two days after the drowning of Gemma Manegable, on December 19, Vivien-Ann Hammond from South England, a visitor aboard the Spirit of Adventure Saga cruise ship, died after participating in water activities at Cockleshell Beach on the Southeast Peninsula.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
