BEEF ISLAND, British Virgin Islands--The individual rescued by local emergency services personnel from the small aircraft that crash-landed in the sea at the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island on Wednesday, July 18, has died.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force made the pronouncement minutes before 6:00 on Wednesday afternoon.
Police told BVI News the aircraft “overran the runway” at the airport and ended up in the sea. The name of the victim has not been released. Police said an investigation has been launched into the fatal accident.
The BVI Airport Authority’s statement on the incident read in part: “A C150 with one person on board departed the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (TUPJ) at 16:17 (4:17pm) destined to Pointe à Pitre International Airport (TFFR) in Guadeloupe when it crashed into the waters off the east-northeast end of Runway 07.
“BVI Airport Authority’s Rescue and Fire Fighting Service moved swiftly into action and was able to quickly secure the pilot, the only occupant of the aircraft.”
Amateur video footage sent to BVI News showed one resident performing what appeared to be cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the man believed to be the crash victim, but to no avail.
The Airport had closed temporarily on Wednesday to facilitate the rescue effort. ~ BVI News ~
