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UPDATE: Another tourist dies after snorkeling at The Indians

A 47-year-old male tourist was pronounced dead at Peebles Hospital, several hours after he was taken there on February 2, 2013 reportedly in an unconscious state. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Hours after a tourist on a day sail from St. Thomas died after encountering difficulties while snorkeling at The Indians off Norman Island on Saturday February 2, 2013, The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force is reporting that another tourist succumbed at the weekend while also snorkeling there.

Police are still withholding the name of the tourist, but stated in a press release that on Sunday February 3, 2013, a male U.S. visitor, 57 years, was also snorkeling near The Indians when he reportedly told his girlfriend that he was experiencing difficulties. "He was immediately taken out the water where he continued to deteriorate. He was brought to the Peebles Hospital by members of VISAR but attempts to resuscitate the male were unsuccessful."

The RVIPF also confirmed that on Saturday around 12:30 P.M. the Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR) responded to distress call from The Indians off Norman Island where 47-year-old Clifford Routh of North Carolina, who had been snorkeling, reportedly emerged from underwater unconscious.

He was transported to Peebles Hospital were personnel were successful in reviving him. However, at around 7:15 P.M. that afternoon, Routh went into cardiac arrest. Resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful, the release stated.

The deceased was among 13 other passengers on a charter that departed St. Thomas that day. 

The Coroner’s Office was notified of both deaths and post mortems are to be scheduled, the RVIPF stated in the press release.

The name of the deceased in the second incident is being withheld at this point.

See previous story posted on February 3, 2013

Tourist in snorkeling incident at The Indians dies

A 47-year-old male tourist was pronounced dead at Peebles Hospital on February 2, 2013, several hours after he was reportedly taken there in an unconscious state.

Virgin Islands News Online was informed by one of its many sources around the Virgin Islands that the man passed away minutes after 11 P.M.

According to reports reaching this news site, the man was part of a group that had travelled from St. Thomas, USVI and were at The Indians off Norman Island when the man reportedly encountered difficulty in the water.

It was being speculated that the man had drowned but, according to a reliable source; doctors at Peebles Hospital reported no water was found in his lungs.

The tourist was reportedly taken to Peebles Hospital in an unconscious state and without a pulse; however, medical personnel were reportedly able to revive him before he passed away.

47 Responses to “UPDATE: Another tourist dies after snorkeling at The Indians”

  • 1 (03/02/2013, 04:10) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    you need the fbi on this one!
  • wise-up (03/02/2013, 07:53) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    Class, can you say insurance money????????
  • zoe (03/02/2013, 08:21) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    this is indeed sad.
  • mary j (03/02/2013, 08:40) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    At least no good news here!!!!

  • Hmm (03/02/2013, 09:18) Like (7) Dislike (10) Reply
    Why do these white ppl choose to come here to die and it always invole water I think the fbi should investigate cause for sure local authourities wouldn't
    • please (03/02/2013, 11:53) Like (10) Dislike (6) Reply
      Your remark borders on being rascist and is foolish at best, of course he didn't choose to come here and die. Show some respect, his family may be reading these sites. Why do people type such nonsense.
      • Observer (03/02/2013, 14:42) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        People don't choose to come here and die, but some are led here to their death unknowly.
        • Gina (04/02/2013, 17:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          A number of year now the word is, want to get rid of somebody bring them to the BVI, and they go home free and win the case.
      • cousin (06/02/2013, 18:09) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        Thank you He was my cousin and a good man Was so looking forward to this vacation We're not sure what happened but thank u for your support RIP MARK
      • NC girl (06/02/2013, 20:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Thank you "please" -- you are right that family and friends ARE READING this -- and the comments are more than borderline rude and way off base!
      • Mark's cousin (19/02/2013, 16:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Yes, his family (me) is reading these comments. Please be more respectful. My aunt lost her husband last summer & now her son.
    • wow (03/02/2013, 14:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      How do you know he was white? Smh
      • Jamdown (04/02/2013, 20:34) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        Because deh black man fraid water. Dem nah go wey dem cant tan up, mus less diving undreds of feet wey dey fish dem be. dwl
  • vvv (03/02/2013, 10:07) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is just happening too often deman
  • west end (03/02/2013, 11:35) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    rip and my thoughts are with his family
  • Hmm... (03/02/2013, 11:36) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is my BVI becoming synonymous for tourist deaths? Are the experiences in our "paradise" causing content-to-death responses in our tourists? Are these deaths health related? Resulted from negligence? What about the snorkeling company, were their instruments working properly? Or have these water-related deaths and other tourist deaths a result of foul act? Answer: autopsy please!
    • pop up (03/02/2013, 15:40) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      there are no instruments on snorkeling gear, you are confusing it with scuba diving which he was not involved in.
  • Peng (03/02/2013, 12:52) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    ayo better be careful that fox news aint monitoring these website site and publish a damming report on the BVI for its people's insensitive nature.......remember US coverage is big news especially if it involves one of the big news operators...so I'm just saying the newsites need to be able to remove some of these insensitive and worthless comments.........after all you know the say Peter usually pays for Pauls actions.....and only the innocent get hurt!
    • please (03/02/2013, 14:43) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
      You would rather they think that we are a group of small islands with brainless and spineless people??? Streups, so they could swoop on us and make a mockery of my home. With all the drama going on in this little island about politics and the like, my people have always given a sympathetic word or food-for-thought when needed! It's people like you who try to silence the voices of others just to hear your own, with ya ish!
  • FriendOnBoat (03/02/2013, 19:47) Like (27) Dislike (6) Reply
    You ignorant people. I was with him in the water and on the boat. I was one of the friends who performed CPR on him. How dare any one accuse us or assume that we left him!

    We performed CPR on him until the coast guard came and took over. We stayed on Tortola outside of the hospital until we were forced to leave.

    Only God knows what happened to him. God bless our friend and prayers for his family and friends are in order.

    End of story. Respect is on order.
    • i like that (03/02/2013, 23:06) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      allyuh BVI people take that if you were not there stop assuming making an a** out of your selves. well said Friend on boat
    • Whoa (04/02/2013, 02:46) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      I am not here to discredit what you said, but it is not simply for us to take your statement and still not investigate the cause of death...it's protocol. He came here, so what happen is of concern to not only you, our society. No one is making light of tge situation, and that entails that we look at all avenues to help gain a conclusive cause of death.
    • Concerned (04/02/2013, 10:02) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
      Can you please give me the initials of the victim? I'm wondering if it's someone I know.
    • Cary Brown Backer (04/02/2013, 13:29) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      I believe that this is an acquaintance of mine from here in NC. Sorry to hear of this tragic news.
    • Family at Home (04/02/2013, 14:52) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      Dear Friend
      He was the Father of my Daughter and my husband for twenty years. Thank you for staying with him. My heart is broken. A Daddy is gone, a soul mate is lost and a friend to many mourned. A son, brother and a cousin. He was loved by so many people.
      • To the Family (04/02/2013, 18:39) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
        Please understand that these ignorant rantings are not typical of BVIslanders. I am so sorry for your loss, and everyone I hear talking about it shares the same sentiment. It is so tragic when a happy occasion such as a vacation ends in this unexpected and premature way. Please accept the prayers and condolences of the BVI community and please ignore these ignorant comments.
    • Jane (11/02/2013, 23:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      thank you for performing cpr on him. I anxiously await the autopsy result.
  • rattie (04/02/2013, 00:16) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Barman, gih meh ah bottle ah Veuve Cliquot dey................ different day, same brand
  • ausar (04/02/2013, 17:26) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Maybe that area needs to be off-limits for snorkeling.

    Too much casualities in one area..too much.
  • TOWN (04/02/2013, 17:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    AGAIN? JAH
  • jazz (04/02/2013, 21:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    It makes me throw up a little bit, just at the back of my throat...reading some of deeds blogs

  • Sometimes (05/02/2013, 00:22) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply

    When people speak their minds then the $%%t comes out,some minds re so full of it its almost expected,some people when they express themselves are intelligent as this is how they express themselves,intelligently,some people when they open their...well know you know what I mean,its a shame some people think out of their a,,,,es some think out of their brains,its just they way it is,ignore people that do not talk your language but give heed to their thought process,it's good to know who talks the most amount of sh*&^,then you can see the #$%$t from the roses. Happy Valentines ladies...

  • Daughter (05/02/2013, 20:02) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    You people are so ignorant you probably don't even know what ignorant means. My daddy is gone. No one can do anything about it.
  • Kville friend (05/02/2013, 21:51) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please have some respect for this man's daughter and stop bantering on with your disrespectful comments. This may have been just another tourist to the BVI locals, but here he was a sweet gurl's dad.
  • Surmons (06/02/2013, 09:43) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    To my friends (The Family of Keith)
    No words can ease your pain at this time. I just pray the the comfort of the Holy Spirit comes and lessens your pain at this time. I stand as evidence that time will mend all wounds and the best part of all is the fact only the good memories remain. I love you guys and my life was always blessed when you all were involved. I thank you for letting my family and I to be apart of that. As days pass and you need anything don't forget about us over here. We will help when and where ever needed.
  • Home Towner (07/02/2013, 00:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please use sensor / sensitivity. I pray for some responding that you never have to hear things like being stated here about someone you love & care about. Although I didn’t know this person, I know people who did & he was a very nice person. His family is from the same home town & they are good people. As for me, my prayers are with his family who is suffering loss.....Family at Hom, Daughter, FriendOnBoat & Cousin….I’m truly sorry for your loss, as well as that of the other family who lost a loved one. May the Lord be with all of you during this sad time
  • OC boy in St Maarten (07/02/2013, 19:11) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    R.I.P Mark .... you shall be missed ... We were from the same home town and even though you were a few years older than me. I remember you as a good kind kid always happy..... how the years have moved us so far from our native home... may peace be with you....
  • confused (17/02/2013, 08:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It has been 2 weeks since this tragic death occurred and still no conclusion to the investigation? These families need closure.
  • OC boy in St Maarten (20/02/2013, 16:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ confused .... the family will need to contact local police or the local US represenitives for info .....the paper will not update because these islands much like the one I live on are dependant on tourism.... bad news isn't good for bussiness... sad but true...
  • cheese (02/05/2015, 05:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    my brother who was a tourist over in the virgin island on April 6, 2015 was supposedly snorkeling so his wife said when something went wrong and he also called out for help and saying something isn't right. Minutes after being rescued he was conscious and rushed to the hospital were he later died.
    His wife stated he had heart failure. I doubt that my brother died from heart failure and the aurtopsy that was performed was very unperfessional causing a large scare on the right side of his skull


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