I was never asked to move deadly tree in JVD — Turnbull
Labour & Natural Resources Minister, Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull, has denied that he was ever asked to remove a tree that was involved in a deadly accident which happened recently just off the coast of Jost Van Dyke (JVD).
JVD is located within the Second Electoral District where Turnbull is currently seeking re-election as the District Representative.
While police investigations continue into the fatal accident, reports indicate that the victim collided with the tree while operating a dinghy at night just off the shore of Great Harbour in Jost Van Dyke.
Some observers have pointed out that the tree was uprooted and remained in the harbour since hurricanes Irma and Maria, nearly six years ago. Some persons have also shared that the tree was at various times decorated with lights. However, it is unclear whether the tree was illuminated at the time of the accident.
“Why was the tree still there? I don’t have a proper answer for why it stood there so long because, again, there were conflicting views about the tree,” Turnbull told the Cut Deep show last evening, March 29.
The Second District Representative explained that some residents of the district had asked for the tree to remain while others had pleaded for the tree to be removed.
Turnbull, who expressed condolences to the victim’s family, called the incident unfortunate and untimely, but insisted that he was never asked to remove the tree “as the District Rep”.
“Since I have been sitting over the last 10 months as Minister of Natural Resources, I have not seen any document of such. Since I have sat as District Representative, since the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria, I have not received any correspondence or any beckoning from the community … Again, there were different views,” he stated.
Turnbull said he had a conversation with police after the deadly incident happened and told them that the tree needs to be removed.
“So, I called the community partners, the person with the heavy equipment, the person from the ferry services, and the volunteers that came, and we pulled the tree out of the ocean,” Turnbull said.
He further shared that he was “absolutely devastated” about the loss of life in the incident and said this was despite the fact that some persons may examine the incident in hindsight and arrive at different perspectives.
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That should of been a question for ports
Hmm – both statements can’t be true!
“Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull, has denied that he was ever asked to remove a tree that was involved in a deadly accident which happened recently just off the coast of Jost Van Dyke (JVD).”
“The Second District Representative explained that some residents of the district had asked for the tree to remain while others had pleaded for the tree to be removed.”
I’m definitely expecting government to get sued.
You waiting on letter, yet you say some asked for the tree to remain, what kind of leader are you, you knew it was there and needed to be removed. Stop l**ng on people about wanting it to remain there, who would be that stupid. Does that make sense. And you actually said that, what a shame.
Of that tree ?
Hon Turnbull did anyone from the community asked you to remove it now. Is there any paper trail within the last couple of days as minister if dist rep to say someone pleaded with you. So why move it now and not last month. If you knew it was there Turnbull it is called neglect. Shame on you. You not looking good this one bro maybe it is time to take a rest.
Yet this man say he over JVD every week. No one need to tell you that tree needed to be removed. You are a failure. There is blood on your hands. Live with that.
Is it the responsibility of Ports Authority? Or is it a shared responsibility between Conservation & Fisheries (now defunct) or some other governmental department? That obstruction laid there for at least the last (5) years and no one ever thought it would cause an issue. Well now this young man has been the unfortunate victim to a totally avoidable situation. Condolences to his family and may this AVOIDABLE tragedy never be allowed to be repeated ever again BVI!
Who had it removed in the end? The representative simply needed to have the will or the interest to do it. Sad
I guess they wanted it to be a tourist attraction but it ended up a tragedy
Sometimes as residents, once nothing is being done in your district all should come together as a community and get things done. A deadly tree in the waters since Irma, someone in the area with a boat get some helpers and move the tree. Lead! do things around your community, so you can contest for next election.
Maybe the poor guy was intoxicated and fell asleep while sailing the dinghy. He was destined to crash into something if that was the case. It just happened to be the tree that should have been removed years ago. Condolences to his family. This is so unfortunate.
Do you have to be asked to do your job as a district representative now? What bull I am I hearing. You were the district rep plus the minister for the environment. Get rid of this child!
we watersports capital. fkn morons . fix this stupidness w a marker at least . you on hook fool, and all others walk tall jvd. dead man in boat accident always good for wiping few $million from tourism in short term. but no fool of these lands can plan and operate like 1st world . strupes.again again.
5 years?
He just doesn’t know how to tell a good lie. How did he know that some people wanted the stump removed and some didn’t. Yet he says he was not ask about removing it?
Both can be true yes. He said he was never asked directly but conversations between individuals in JVD talked about it being moved or not removed. Those discussions was told to him by a third party. Context clues very important
Interesting that you saying that he wasnt the minister for the entire term. Literally 10 months and he said he was never asked to remove the tree
We all know Mitch is challenged with the truth.
I guess he hasn’t been to Yost in 5 years, since the hurricanes ? BS
Perhaps the problem has more to do with the the dinghy operators who go roaring around at night with no navigation lights nor even a handheld light.
He was the district representative for the past 8 years
.
I don’t have a proper answer for why it stood there so long because, again, there were conflicting views about the tree
I have not received any correspondence or any beckoning from the community … Again, there were different views
Sounds pretty conflicted. if you dont have a proper answer say no more. Anyway what is a proper answer?
Tell the truth and thatd be it.
Boy you going home 24 April.
No one should have to ask for the tree which is a hassard in the middle of the popular harbor to be moved. Come on! It should have been removed point blank. It was a danger to boaters. That was such a simple task and you could have gotten some easy compliments and thanks. You all must care more about the safety of locals and visitors.
A tree is designed to bear fruits, provide shade and beautify yet a tree, placed in the wrong hands, will kill a nation. The lack of actions to remove a known hazard is negligence. Sounds like a law suit. Losing money from an unnecessary trip to Egypt. Losing money from law suits on the situation at labour department. Losing money from failing to do the job you are being paid to do like protect the people. Time to resign from politics when you costing the country so much. We can’t remove a tree but we have big plans for the country. Recognise sense vs BS people.
I don’t know why people let politic turn them into liers,hippocrets, and the list goes on
Sounds like a hazard to navigation – government responsible for the obstruction removal. Lawsuit time.
Drinking and driving is illegal even on the waterways!!!
Immaturity stupidity irresponsible…all of these and more is attributed to this individual.
I am at a loss for words to describe this man’s outlook
His IQ ,how low is it???.
I think it was just a tree…been sitting there since Irma (5 years).
How does this end up being the blame game? Please blame God. That should work out good for you on the reckoning day.
Everyone has been looking at this mess (in every harbor for 5 years). Countless money already spent. Job not done yet. So get to it! You have the job title.
Remember, BVI Love! Tourists love lots of broken down stuff in harbors!
This man is little on the initiative to prevent an accident to happen but very big on probable removing evidence from a crime scene