Caribbean police are investigating the death of a British yachtsman after he was found onboard a burnt-out life raft with fatal injuries
Police in the
Caribbean have launched an investigation after a British yachtsman died following
a yacht fire near the island of St Vincent.
Sailing instructor
John Garner was discovered after the local coastguard was alerted to a yacht
fire 15 nautical miles off shore on Wednesday.
Reports suggest that a gas explosion onboard the yacht may have been the cause of the fire.
Emergency crews
arrived to find Mr Garner floating on a burnt-out life raft, while the yacht Asante had already sunk.
The 53-year-old is
reported to have suffered both leg and head injuries and later died in hospital.
Officials are
currently waiting on the results of a post mortem to determine the cause of his
death.
Local police are now
keen to speak to a Norwegian woman named Heidi Hukkelaas, who had been
travelling with Mr Garner. She is believed to be the victim’s wife.
St Vincent’s police
commissioner Michael Charles said: “We are treating the death as suspicious and
are looking at all lines of inquiry.”
“We suspect foul play
and will investigate the matter fully. Miss Hukkelaas is a person of interest and as with every
murder investigation we have to look at everyone and everything and will leave
no stones unturned.”
Police say Ms
Hukkelaas had arrived in St Vincent and the Grenadines on January 19th
and had permission to remain in the area until April 19th.
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