South African man charged with manslaughter in VG boating incident
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has charged a South African man with manslaughter following a boating incident that claimed the life of Captain Stephen Cross Jr.
The accident occurred near Saba Rock, Virgin Gorda, late on Friday, November 22, when a 21-foot rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) collided with a dinghy piloted by Cross Jr.
According to the RVIPF, 36-year-old Lesley Joubert, believed to be the captain of the RHIB, was charged with manslaughter. He was granted bail of $120,000 and is scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
Cross Jr., a 39-year-old native of St. Thomas, USVI, was transported to the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic and later transferred to the Dr. Orlando Smith Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
No other injuries were reported in the incident. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collision are ongoing.
Copyright 2025 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
Another one freed
You don’t know that. Stop making speculations.
My question is how was he transfer to Tortola from Virgin Gorda with that serious injure?
Rescue boat to Trellis bay then ambulance to Peebles
Time for drinking and boating laws to enacted, and personell to assigned to the obvious areas.
OR SADY, THIS WII BECOME A EVER INCREASING PROBLEM.
South africa he’s gone no extradition treaty with that place to have him return. In other places unless he have strong ties in the counrty that this took place he cound’nt get bail but then again is who you are privelge is given.
Meanwhile the local boatman still walking free after killing one of our most beautiful souls. Lopsided justice…
So true, no time wasted.
THE WANNABE JUDGE WIGO ON THE LOOSE , WHY FON YOU STAY ON YOUR YELLO SITE AND PLAY WITH YOUR WIG , WE WOULD LOVE TO BE FREE OF YOUR RACIST NARRATIVES AND FREE OF YOU ALSO
“Local boatman going free” you mean Capt R#y Br##wly right? For your information captain of other boat awaiting sentencing for fleeing the accident scene.
There is absolutely no correlation between his nationality and the accident that resulted in the death of another man. It is sickening and increasingly you blog sites turn news site, use these mental gymnastics to tie two things together. The title of this news story could have been anything – such as highlighting the name of the person who lost his life, or simply ‘Captain of the RHIB charged with manslaughter.’ And I do not need to quantify any of this by stating where I am from. This is clickbait and it lacks journalistic integrity.