UPDATE: Nathaniel Wheatley dies in accident @ Slaney
Our newsroom can also confirm that the man has been identified as Mr Nathaniel Wheatley.
According to reports, Mr Wheatley lost control of his vehicle while in the Slaney area. His vehicle ran off the road and crashed into some rocks at the seaside.
He was reportedly flung from the vehicle.
The injured man was picked up and rushed to Peebles Hospital in a critical condition but later succumbed, according to reports reaching this news site.
Police Information Officer Diane Drayton also confirmed the fatal accident. "Police are confirming one fatality, a male, following an accident in the Slaney area. No further information is available at this time," Drayton said in a press release this evening.
The Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online extend sincere condolences to the immediate family and friends of Mr Nathaniel Wheatley.
See previous article published February 18, 2017
Man in critical condition after vehicle plunges into sea @ Slaney
A man was rushed to hospital in reportedly critical condition after his vehicle ended up in the sea at Slaney, on the main island of Tortola this evening, February 18, 2017.
According to reports reaching this news site, the man was driving a red Suzuki SUV with license plate PP 276, heading in the direction of Road Town, when the automobile ended up running off the road and turning turtle in shallow waters in the Slaney area around 6:30 PM.
It is unclear what caused the vehicle to swerve off the road.
The injured man has been rushed to Peebles Hospital.
More details to follow.
50 Responses to “UPDATE: Nathaniel Wheatley dies in accident @ Slaney”
@Citizen I am going to have to disagree with you here. Injuries sustained during a roll-over crash NOT wearing seat belts are the worst. Have you ever put sneakers in a dryer? Well you get the idea. You are thrown about the inside of the vehicle making contact with everything inside, PLUS every unsecured object inside the vehicle. The passenger is then most often flung violently from the vehicle AND have the vehicle roll ON TOP of them causing crushing injuries. The 3 point seat belt system that are in modern cars today was created/invented by a Swedish engineer named Nils Bohlin and introduced by Volvo in 1959. They never patented it and shared it with all other vehicle manufacturers...Why because it was proven to save lives. Indeed there are situations where some will argue that someone would have been saved if it was not for the seat belt, such as a vehicle bursting into flames after an impact. HOWEVER there are devices such as seat belt cutterrs..and yes a knife or scissors would work too. Another VERY important thing to remember/know is The Law of Inertia (Newton's first law of motion)...an object remains in motion unless acted upon by an outside force. In plain terms...if a car is moving at 50 mph then EVERYTHING inside of the car is obviously in motion as well (50 mph) if the car hits something (outside force) the car rapidly decelerates BUT the other objects in the car (passengers, groceries, shoes etc) are still in motion. When the passenger hits the steering wheel or dashboard...guess how much mph they hit them at? Yup 50 mph. The internal organs and the brain to are moving at the very same velocity INSIDE the body and when the body hits the dashboard (outside force) yes guessed it right...they hit the ribs and cranium at 50 mph causing massive internal and brain injuries. So to say that seat belts don't save lives or that seat belts would have been worse is not only your opinion but one that I believe is wrong. I base my statements on the countless vehicle crashes I have responded to over my 22 year career. I also train emergency responders (EMT's Rescue Technicians etc) and have had to review many case studies over the years as well. I am sure that there must be tons of videos on youtube that anyone can check if they wish to see animations. Seat belt do saves lives! Please remember that distracted driving (texting, phone,eating, facebook live videos etc) can contribute to motor vehicle crashes (I am in no way implying this was the case in this situation) and injuries even loss of lives. So please buckle up, make sure the little ones are in car seats and booster seats and keep your eyes on the road. Take care ya'll
Peace and Blessings
Lack of seatbelt and designated driver not the government or thw road was the cause.
Yet all drivers should following a few simple things that's good for everyone.
1) make sure Vehicles are well service.
2) unnecessary speeding is actually cut back can save driver/s life and nearby people etc.
3) technology distractions isn't a distraction point blank.
Accedents do happen that's why it's called an accident, yet accidents and also be av. Nevertheless I'm not judging this incident I'm speaking generally but do wish driver a speeding recovery.
By the way, drivers taking that same route heading west, please place each tire to the left and right of the patch of dirt from kicking dirt straight down behind you on the other cars.
Common sense
I really dont understand why so many people have to stop to gather and stare, its almost like a morbid perversion people have. If you cant help move along.
There's another terrible spot up hope hill in District 8 from the corner come straight before you reach the hang out heading east direction. District 6 up fort hill always crowded with vehicles and the road has a big pot hole and dip that you can't escape them taxi bus and truck coming off the hill. District 5 heading Fahie hill looks like the potholes are souvenirs with no intent of fixing. Drive very slowly everyone. We have cow roads less than 10 miles per hour or expect the unexpected.
If anyone was there to witness it they would know it has nothing to do with govt or the roads. He was speeding and tried overtaking multiple cars when he hit and that was that. Why drive like that especially without your seatbelt. Such a tragedy and totally avoidable. We dont need govt to be involved in everything,we need to really slow down on these roads.