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Premier extends condolences following death of UK police officer

- Body of detective Paul France was found in submerged vehicle close to QE II Park on Oct 7
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has offered condolences to the family and friends of the late United Kingdom (UK) police officer, Paul France. Photo: GIS/File
The body of Mr Paul France was discovered in a vehicle submerged in waters close to the parking area adjacent at Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital in Road Town on October 7, 2023. Photo: RVIPF
The body of Mr Paul France was discovered in a vehicle submerged in waters close to the parking area adjacent at Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital in Road Town on October 7, 2023. Photo: RVIPF
The vehicle the lifeless body of Mr Paul France was discovered in on October 7, 2023. Photo: Team of Reporters
The vehicle the lifeless body of Mr Paul France was discovered in on October 7, 2023. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has offered condolences to the family and friends of the late United Kingdom (UK) police officer, Paul France.

The body of Mr France was discovered in a vehicle submerged in waters close to the parking area adjacent to Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital in Road Town on October 7, 2023.

“On behalf of the Government and people of the Virgin Islands, I extend condolences to the family and loved ones of Detective Paul France on his untimely passing today,” Premier Wheatley said in a statement late last evening.

The Premier, a member of the National Security Council (NSC), also extended sympathies to Mr France’s colleagues in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and in the UK.

“The family and loved ones of Detective France can be assured of the full support of the Government of the Virgin Islands into the discovery of the tragic circumstances surrounding his passing.

“We pray that his soul rests in peace and solace for those who are affected by this loss,” Dr Wheatley stated.

Public asked to assist with information

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) in a press statement on October 7, 2023, said its officers responded to a report of a submerged vehicle in the Waterfront area, close to Queen Elizabeth II Park.

Upon their arrival, they discovered “a white Kia Soul” fully submerged in the water.

“The public, showing remarkable solidarity, immediately assisted both the police and fire officers at the scene. After a period of effort, they noticed an unresponsive male inside the vehicle.

“The lone male occupant was later recovered from the vehicle and declared deceased. He has been identified as Police Detective Paul France, a UK National with a cumulative service of almost forty years in police services in the UK and the BVI,” the RVIPF stated.

Meanwhile, police said anyone with relevant information regarding the incident of the vehicle going overboard is encouraged to contact the RVIPF Intelligence Unit on 368-9339.

22 Responses to “Premier extends condolences following death of UK police officer”

  • Endtimes (08/10/2023, 06:36) Like (19) Dislike (34) Reply
    This nonsense about the soul of a deceased person resting in peace needs to stop! People need to study the Bible to understand the state of the dead. The dead is dead, the body goes to the grave and the soul is with God until the Resurrection.

    The dead knows NOTHING!!!

    Time to stop this nonsense about RIP!

    “We pray that his soul rests in peace and solace for those who are affected by this loss,” Dr Wheatley stated.
    • question (08/10/2023, 07:01) Like (103) Dislike (2) Reply
      Have you been dead before ? As you speak with certainty ?
      • Endtimes (08/10/2023, 19:11) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
        @question If I was dead before I would not be here to enlighten the foolish who do not take time to study God's Word.
    • Really? (08/10/2023, 12:24) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      ECCLESIASTES 12:7 - The Body dies, and the spirit (not the soul) returns to the Lord. The soul is semi-conscious during death.

      It would take a sermon to help you understand. Seek out an intelligent bible scholar.


      • Endtimes (08/10/2023, 19:08) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
        @Really the soul is semi-conscious during death? What a joke. I don't need a sermon or an intelligent bible scholar because God gives us wisdom and understanding of His Word. We have to pray and ask God to open our understanding before opening the Bible.

        Semi-conscious! What a big joke!!

        Ecclesiastes 9:5

        For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

  • hm (08/10/2023, 07:21) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    You need to read the Bible. Unless he name.elijah Enoch or yeshua his soul ain't nowhere God.
  • ta ta (08/10/2023, 09:19) Like (2) Dislike (57) Reply
    Let the dead bury the dead
  • Anonymous (08/10/2023, 09:21) Like (3) Dislike (45) Reply
    Just a quick observation, keep crazy Cindy out of them press conferences
  • Sad (08/10/2023, 09:38) Like (5) Dislike (62) Reply
    Thank you, Hon. Premier.
  • like man (08/10/2023, 11:05) Like (84) Dislike (8) Reply
    2 teachers, Jenny Wheatley and Alfred Christopher passed just recently and i haven't heard him uttered a word of condolences.
  • Malicious (08/10/2023, 11:28) Like (56) Dislike (1) Reply
    Police have compromised the investigation by tampering with the evidence. Something serious is going to come out of this situation.
  • kpt (08/10/2023, 12:31) Like (50) Dislike (3) Reply
    This place will be swarming with Scotland Yard Detectives real soon if they are not hare already and they will find out what went down.
  • 2023 (08/10/2023, 14:56) Like (2) Dislike (22) Reply
    does the Hon. Premier pay such sentiments when our citizens passes away
    • god is watching (08/10/2023, 19:14) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
      @2023 You are so heartless!! Mr. Frank is a human being for Pete's sake! Should the Premier just ignore that a human being died so tragically? He has family back in the UK who are hurting right now! Please stop being so insensitive, man! It could have been one of your relatives!
  • Reparations pls (08/10/2023, 19:01) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    Thought it was the Col boss. I'm so sad.
  • ausar (08/10/2023, 20:52) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    "Endtimes", you speak as if the Bible is the sole authority with relations to the soul, death, and afterlife experiences...NOOTTT!

    SOOOO, NOT!
  • hm (09/10/2023, 06:14) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Wonder if he had in too much sauce?
  • Really? (09/10/2023, 09:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The man probably had a heart attack and lost control of the vehicle. But, at the same time this whole mess smells fishy.
  • Vehicles (09/10/2023, 11:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    That doesn't look like a Kia Soul.
  • Spititout (10/10/2023, 07:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Our sources say a Kia Soul, but look at the Vehicle being lifted by the Crain, doesn't it apearse to be a Grand Vitara.?
    Know that truchas before you spute. A simple tristeza of the ver Tonge , could made diré impact on the outcome in Cases..
  • OB (10/10/2023, 14:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Tic toc Scotland yard soon come


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