Man dead in apparent drowning during fishing trip near Exuma

Man dead in apparent drowning during fishing trip near Exuma

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A man is dead after an apparent drowning on Saturday near Highbourne Cay, Exuma, police said.

According to reports, a party of six left New Providence around 1pm yesterday on a 39-foot boat en route to the Exuma Cays on a pleasure fishing trip.

Police said around 2.30pm, while in the area of Highbourne Cay, the vessel anchored and some of the crew members went spearfishing. 

However, moments later, crew members became concerned when one of the men did not resurface.

Police said a diver went overboard in search of the man and found him lying on the seabed. 

Efforts to charter a plane on the nearby Norman’s Cay was unsuccessful, so the crew returned to New Providence by boat. 

When they eventually arrived at the capital, the man was pronounced dead by medical personnel. 

Police will await an autopsy report to determine the exact cause of death. 

About Sloan Smith

Sloan Smith is a senior digital reporter at Eyewitness News, covering a diverse range of beats, from politics and crime to environment and human interest. In 2018, Sloan received a nomination for the “Leslie Higgs Feature Writer of The Year Award” from The Bahamas Press Club for her work with Eyewitness News.