SIR RICHARD Branson was left reeling last night after a talented chef on his private Caribbean island died following a boozy all-night party.
The shocked Virgin boss, 75, is said to be “deeply saddened” after tragedy struck on his exclusive £95,000-a-night Necker Island.
AFPRichard Branson was left heartbroken after a talented chef on his private island died[/caption]
Sihle Somdaka, 35, died after losing control of an electric buggy
The chef worked on Necker IslandRex
The dad-of-two suffered a serious head injury
The victim – named as executive sous chef Sihle Somdaka – was found with a head injury after apparently losing control of an electric buggy.
Police in the British Virgin Islands have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Last night, a source said the billionaire businessman’s staff on the 74-acre island were “working with officials” to establish the facts.
They said: “Sir Richard wasn’t on the island when the incident occurred but has been in close contact with the family and the Necker Island team.
“This is of course his primary concern.
“He is understandably deeply saddened by the incident.”
The crash is said to have occurred late on Friday night after a farewell party at the Great House for departing guests.
The stunning property – once home to Sir Richard and his wife Joan – sits atop the highest point of the island and provides spectacular panoramic views of the Caribbean.
Dad-of-two Sihle, who was originally from Cape Town, was among a number of staff invited to the bash.
He left shortly before midnight in one of the island’s electric buggies, but is said to have veered off the road as he made his way down a steep hill away from the property.
The source said: “He was found unconscious and appeared to have sustained a head injury.
“The island’s medic was immediately called to the scene and another from the nearby island of Moskito.
“They began CPR whilst arrangements were made to transport him by boat to Peeble’s Hospital on the island of Tortola.
“He was later pronounced dead.”
He was an experienced chef
Sihle was out with a number of other chefs at the time
Free for editorial useThe paradise island is known for its no limits lifestyle[/caption]
They added: “Staff on the island are working with a number of local authorities to determine exactly what happened.
“A full investigation is being carried out into the circumstances.”
But another source blamed the island’s “culture of excess” – insisting: “A disaster like this has been brewing for a very long time.
“They’ve had very many close shaves and near misses over the years, but this is the first time someone has died.
“It was only a matter of time, but it should never have happened.”
The dark side of Necker Island
by Paul Sims
THE TRAGIC death of Sir Richard Branson’s executive sous chef is the latest in a series of disasters to hit the paradise without limits.
The billionaire businessman bought it in 1979 for £120,000 and turned it into a £60million tropical oasis for the rich and powerful.
But in 2011 he was forced to rebuild the Great House after a lightning strike during Storm Irene engulfed it in flames.
Actress Kate Winslet was staying at the time and was hailed a hero after she rescued Sir Richard’s elderly mum, Eve.
Sir Richard later recalled jumping out of bed “stark naked” to see 300ft flames at 4am – before running into a cactus bush.
In 2017, Storm Irma destroyed several more buildings as the Virgin Airlines mogul holed himself up in a wine cellar with the rest of his family.
He posted photos showing the shocking aftermath of the monster storm which ripped trees from the ground.
At the time Sir Richard wrote: “We felt the full force of the strongest hurricane ever in the Atlantic Ocean.
“But we are very fortunate to have a strong cellar built into Necker’s Great House and were very lucky all of our teams who stayed on the Island during the storm are safe and well.”
The island has also been mired in controversy for its hedonistic culture where few rules apply and a non-stop party atmosphere prevails.
Guests have been known to shoot golf balls at staff in special suits and lick sushi off their bodies.
Sir Richard, who was once snapped kite-surfing with a naked model clinging to his back, insisted it was part of the island’s allure.
In a recent interview he said: “Every table in Necker is made to be danced on and every pool is made to be jumped in.
“If you’re going to throw a party, make sure you’re the first person jumping into the swimming pool fully clothed so everyone else knows that they have the freedom to have a good time.”
Tragic Sihle recently shared photographs online of himself in the turquoise waters of Necker Island with the caption “Caribbean Life”.
He also posted videos of himself jet skiing across the ocean and preparing exquisite dishes, including grilled octopus.
It was the latest step in a glittering career at some of the world’s top fine dining establishments.
He previously worked around the globe, including at Opa Doha in Doha and Razzmatazz in Kuwait, before arriving at Sir Richard’s island hideout.
Sihle worked at various restaurants around the globe
His social media showed pictures of him working and enjoying life on the island
PA:Press AssociationRichard Branson’s island was once wrecked by Hurricane Irma[/caption]
Necker Island has long been a hedonistic playground for the rich and powerful who go to escape the glare of public life.
Princess Diana holidayed there with William and Harry, Kate Moss celebrated her 40th with a week-long party and Nelson Mandela stayed among guests.
Showbiz A-listers Harry Styles, Mariah Carey, George Michael and Demi Moore also enjoyed the luxurious retreat.
It was even used by President Obama to decompress with his family just days after he left office in 2017.
Last night, a spokesperson for Virgin Limited Edition said: “It is with deepest sadness that we can confirm that one of our Necker Island team members, sadly passed away on Saturday.
“They were a hugely talented and exceptional member of the Necker Island family, and we are all devastated by this news.
“Our utmost priority is the wellbeing of their family and friends, and that of our team, and we are doing everything we can to support them all during this very difficult time.”
A probe is underway to investigate the exact circumstances of his death Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
