KINGSTOWN, St Vincent (CMC) — The body of a 53-year-old British man was found on board a partly burnt raft at sea on Wednesday, police said.
They have identified the man as John Edward Garner and said that the raft was found approximately 15 nautical miles west of Buccament in southwestern St Vincent.
Police said they received reports just after noon (local time) that a yacht was on fire at sea and the Coast guard responded immediately.
The police said Garner was found with injuries to both of his legs as well as his head. He was taken to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police said the yacht “ASANTE” was registered in Gibraltar and that debris and oil spill were discovered at sea, where police believe the yacht sunk.
Police said their preliminary investigations have shown that Garner and another person, Heidi Hukkelaas, whose nationality was not given, had arrived in St Vincent and the Grenadines by air on January 19. They were granted an extension to remain until April 19, 2014.
The whereabouts of Hukkelaas are unknown, but checks revealed that she did not leave the state at any of the airports or seaports, police said, adding that investigations were continuing.
