A shocking incident unfolded on billionaire Sir Richard Branson’s private island, Necker Island, where executive sous chef Sihle Somdaka, 37, died after a reported “freak accident.” The South African culinary professional, described as a rising star and father of two, sustained fatal head injuries following a crash involving an electric buggy.
According to accounts, Somdaka lost control of the vehicle while descending a steep hillside on Necker Island, a luxury resort in the British Virgin Islands. The incident occurred shortly before midnight after he left a party at the island’s Great House, once the residence of Branson and his wife. Emergency services were dispatched, but Somdaka was pronounced dead at Peebles Hospital on Tortola.
Branson, who was not present on the island during the tragedy, has been in contact with the chef’s family and Necker Island staff, expressing deep sorrow over the loss. Local authorities have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Sources close to the resort highlighted a “culture of excess” linked to the island’s operations, noting repeated safety concerns over the years. Somdaka, who previously worked in high-end restaurants across the Middle East, had recently shared social media posts showcasing his time at Necker Island, captioning one image: “Caribbean life.”
The incident has left the island community in shock, with calls for transparency regarding the accident’s cause. No further details have been disclosed about the sequence of events leading to the crash.