Crown Point police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the drowning of a New York man at the Bon Accord Lagoon in Tobago. He has been identified as 48-year-old Derek Alleyne, a ramp attendant employed with Jet Blue Airlines. According to reports, the incident occurred shortly after 2 pm on Saturday at the Bon Accord Lagoon, just off the Gibson Jetty.
The T&T Guardian understands that Alleyne was part of large group that arrived in Tobago on Friday for a wedding scheduled for yesterday. Some members of the group reportedly decided to go on an excursion to No Man’s Land. While waiting for their vessel, the Tobago Princess, it got into difficulty and became stuck some distance away. The group was asked by the owner of another vessel to leave the shore and assist in pushing the Tobago Princess to dislodge it.
During that activity, the Tobago Princess allegedly began to topple and people started jumping off the boat. Police said many of the passengers jumped off in the front of the boat in a shallow area, but Alleyne jumped off in the back and landed in the deeper part of the ocean and disappeared. His body was recovered a short while later. He was rushed to the Scarborough General Hospital via a Community Comfort Patrol Police vehicle, but was pronounced dead on arrival. An autopsy is scheduled to be performed today.
Crown Point police are continuing investigations.