Tragedy Off Crooked Is.

Member of Parliament for Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay, V. Alfred Gray, confirmed the tragedy.

Mr. Gray said he received reports that his "good friend" Allison Deleveaux [the former administrator] and another gentleman, Bernard Ferguson, were on a boating trip between Crooked Island and Long Cay when the boat struck a reef.

"Both of them were injured by the propeller because they were both thrown from the boat," said the MP, referring to reports that he had received.

"Mr. Deleveaux’s injuries proved to be fatal and Mr. Ferguson received injures as well. I am advised that he would certainly be seeking medical attention locally in Crooked Island and possibly in Nassau because the injuries are not life threatening, but they are serious."

Mr. Gray said Mr. Deleveaux’s widow was en route to New Providence with his body.

"I would want on behalf of the people of the MICAL Constituency in general, but particularly the people of Crooked Island, to extend our sympathies to the widow of Mr. Allison Deleveaux," Mr. Gray said.

"We certainly pray for [Mr. Deleveaux’s] widow and the family and we pray that Mr. Bernard Ferguson, who was the other occupant of the boat, would have a speedy recovery. These are trying times and we pray that Mrs. Deleveaux will be sustained by the good friends and family around her."

There were reports that one of the men’s limbs were amputated.

"I do not know all of the details with respect to the injuries which proved to be fatal, but I do know that he was injured by the propeller because the boat engine remained running after they were thrown overboard. [Whether Mr. Deleveaux’s] arm or leg would have been amputated, I cannot say, but I know that they were severely injured," Mr. Gray said.

The Journal was unable to reach any police on Crooked Island last night or the island’s administrator. Police are expected to make a full report on the accident today.