26 Responses to “American tourist who drowned @ VG identified as Daniel Weigel”

• Poli.Farmer (29/05/2025, 07:57) Like (37) Dislike (0) Reply

  The Ministry of Tourism together with the Ministry of Natural Resources is failing this country’s product by keeping our world famous baths unattended with Lifeguard Services! This is absolutely absurd to witness these unfortunate drownings over and over without any care for putting the right safety measures in place! Both Ministers are neglectful of the matter
  • name them (29/05/2025, 08:34) Like (3) Dislike (12) Reply

    This Territory is so hypocritical , had it been the other Minister you would be quick to put his name out there but you are so afriad of the 2 that you claim are responsibile that you wouldnt name them. smh. cowards always go for the easiest targets.
  • tell me (29/05/2025, 12:48) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply

    Why don't the government accept that they have failed us BIG TIME and do us the favor and resign. they would then earn that respect by living up to the fact that they have fail us from all angles.
• NezRez (29/05/2025, 08:27) Like (30) Dislike (0) Reply

  I am very sorry to hear about this tourist losing his life. A lot of elderly people are not aware of the strong pull of the water, and they try to swim back to safety, causing stress on their hearts. Most are used to being in a swimming pool at home, but the strength of the ocean takes them by surprise.
• again (29/05/2025, 09:42) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply

  There’s a lot questions here where was the rest the people he came to vacation with , so much people be in that area , third when is government going act put life guard
  • Linda (04/06/2025, 19:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    @ again. The entire world that has beaches does not have Lifeguards on most of them. Swimmers must use caution and enjoy their time in the water whenever they go in. Some places have no Lifeguards at all in their countries. How do you expect that for every drowning, the country can be sued? That's Ludicrous!
• Real Macoy (29/05/2025, 09:54) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply

  This is so sad indeed. I agree with having life guards at popular beaches like the Baths and all other popular beaches. Since tourism are one of the BVI main industry, i think the government should make it mandatory to have life guards on all popular beaches.
• Yes (29/05/2025, 10:20) Like (8) Dislike (12) Reply

  PUT LIFE GUARDS ON THE BEACHES, THE PEOPLE THAT LOST THEIR LIVES ON BEACHES IN THE BVI THEIR FMAILY SHOULD SUE THE GOVERNMENT OF THE BVI.
  • stfu (29/05/2025, 13:37) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply

    Did the Govt. send them to swim in the waters when it is rough? If not, hush your bloody mouth bout law suit.
    • Truth (29/05/2025, 22:01) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply

      The water was calm in that day. They need to wait on autopsy
  • Sue on what grounds ?? (29/05/2025, 14:44) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply

    The majority of beaches in the entire Caribbean DONT have lifeguards so its not just the BVI . And lifeguards are not on duty 24/7 so the sad reality is that people will drown here or elsewhere, it takes some self accountability . Could we put lifeguards at peak times perhaps but people will still swin outside those time and accidents will till happen. This talk of suing for every action that happens and even things that the Government is not responsible for only leads us to more irresponsible behaviour.
  • @yes (30/05/2025, 10:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    My condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. @ Yes, who do you think is going to pay for the lawsuit, ie, the trial and in the event they win the suit? The taxpayers will have to foot the bill. So next time, please be mindful and think before opening thy mouth. I do agree we require Lifeguards on all if not most beaches that not only attract Tourists but also our own locals as a lot of our own people are unable to swim or swim properly. Signs should also be erected on all beaches about rip current, thats if it hasn't already been enforced. Hotels, Motels, Air bnb, Yacht Clubs, Boat Charter Companies should also bear the responsibility of educating their guests/clients about our weather, sea safety & swimming guidelines, etc. upon check in or upon paying for a water sport service. Perhaps, its being done already or not at all but in any event, it needs to be reinforced and reiterated several times over. The guests need to be taught how to properly navigate a rip current if caught in one. Maybe, the Warning flags, aren't properly stationed on the beach in a high traffic area or visible from at least a few yards from the shore, so that a passing Vessel can view. Maybe, they can introduce daily Notices to these places so that all sea faring person is aware what swimming areas should be avoided. Perhaps, this is already been done and if it is, who then is culpable for these deaths? Its not 100% Government's fault, some blame should also be placed on the Tourist as well. You might not be in agreement with me and this might not be the case with this gentleman. However, we know sometimes people think they are more than capable to deal with a certain scenario, then something arises but it doesn't always work out the way we hope and we pay with our lives. I really hope and pray that these type of drownings will become a thing of the past and measures are put in place to mitigate these unusual circumstances. I do not want it ever to reach a point where its normalise because we depend on the Tourism product and if not them, it might end up being one of us. May God continue to bless the Vurgin Islands and all who call it their home!!!! Blessed day to you as well, wherever you are.
• Eldread (29/05/2025, 10:30) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply

  I always say that the tourism department need to post at the airport and hotels that tourist need to be climatized in terms of swimming in salt water in comparison to these lakes these people born and learn to swim in, the buoyancy is different so don't just jump into our beautiful white sandy beach to swim because it looks like a fairytale to you. So please be warn.
• Hearditallbefore (29/05/2025, 11:11) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply

  People drown on a regular basis at the baths and the same thing happens every time. The police announce they will investigate, the National Parks do nothing to make the situation and environment safer, no enforcement is applied by Marine Police or National Parks to stop boats dropping passengers or mooring on red flag days. No lifeguards are recruited by government, or funds made available to aid the process, and then everybody says a prayer and feels sorry. Instead of letting people die unnecessarily, why not increase entry fee's and use the money to employ full time lifeguards and enforce the mooring and drop off's by way of a fine for endangering life? Of course all of this is far too progressive for the BVI, so we will do nothing and watch the bodies pile up.
  • UpdateyourBrain (30/05/2025, 01:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    How does one make a beach safer. Do you hop on a motorcycle with no experience or practice and go 90 on the highway? Why would you do dabble is waters where the outcome is uncertain. No man is stopping you from struggling and panicking at sea. A man can attempt to save a life and play god but if a life is meant to go due to stupidity or curiosity then why is so hard to see who to blame.
    
    Also ask the politicians why the fees haven't change since they been enforced the answer with shock you
  • clarification (30/05/2025, 10:17) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply

    It is not the National Parks responsibility to have life guards. It's the Government's under the Fire Department. And for the record it was a yellow flag day.
• Wait for the AUTOPSY (29/05/2025, 13:02) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply

  Was an autopsy conducted to determine caused of death was indeed drowning??
  • Linda (29/05/2025, 14:50) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply

    The strain on the heart fighting the rough water leads to drowning.
• kpt (29/05/2025, 16:24) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply

  @stfu People like you like to be wrong and strong and stupid. Weather the water is rough or not there should be life guards on the beaches the government do something about.
  
  
• waterfall (29/05/2025, 18:14) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply

  Yea man too many millions they loaning and spending to not employ life guards. Pay to have bush cutters and no life guards. All who went in and came out missed this cause which is causing loss of life to visitors.
• no responce (29/05/2025, 21:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

  . @Sue on what grounds ?? Your comment is too stupid to comment on.
• Proud dad (30/05/2025, 15:16) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply

  My 17 year old daughter who was there with her sailing class nearly drowned swimming this man back to shore in an attempt to save his life. She was close to shore when she heard people screaming for help and she swam out to him where her friend’s father was fighting to keep him above water and grabbed him and fought to swim him back to shore. I’m so proud of her for putting her life on the line to save a stranger and I’m very disappointed that numerous grown men stood onshore watching and doing nothing. Lifeguard or not, you are taking a calculated risk when swimming in the ocean. Hopefully someone like my daughter will be there if you ever need help.
  • Madussa (31/05/2025, 00:57) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply

    @ Proud dad. Your daughter should not have put her life on the line, and you say she nearly drowned? She is too young, weak, and not a lifeguard. Like you said, many grown people were yelling for help, but none tried to put their lives on the line.. Your daughter took a calculated risk, and I am so glad she and her friend's father came out of this ordeal alive.
• ausar (31/05/2025, 03:25) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

  How many of our people are versed in CPR?
  
  So many, are brought back to shore, but the lack of training amongst the people, causes many to drown on the land, with fluid in their lungs!
  
  This is a crisis that needs utmost attention!
  
  
• hmm (01/06/2025, 08:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

  We need lifeguards, and adequate signage warning people about the dangers.
• Dr G (07/06/2025, 17:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

  I was there that day when this gentleman was pulled from the water and taken to shore. We performed CPR for at least 15 minutes. There was an ER nurse with me, who was bagging him and we also had access to an AED, delivering several shocks to no avail. I am a physician and the CPR was effective but too late. I suspect he had a heart attack from the stress of swimming to shore. When the paramedics arrived, we were still performing CPR and he had no pulse and was cyanotic. My condolences to the family.