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A British holidaymaker has been killed in a ‘tragic’ jet ski accident on a private island in the Bahamas, it has emerged.
The 73-year-old, whose identity has not yet been released, died on Saturday during her visit to RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, the Royal Bahamas Police Force confirmed.
Investigators say she had been riding on a jet ski when she allegedly ‘lost control’ of the personal watercraft and ‘collided with a rock’.
Despite receiving medical assistance, she was pronounced dead at the scene by a local doctor. The incident remains under investigation by Bahamian authorities.
The victim, who was a dual British-Czechoslovakia national, was a passenger on the Holland America cruiseliner Nieuw Amsterdam.
Holland America is in contact with the woman’s family and says it is ‘doing everything we can to support them during this difficult time’.
The ship docked at the private island, which is an exclusive destination for Carnival and Holland America passengers, on the seventh day of its 14-day itinerary around the eastern and western Caribbean.
The Nieuw Amsterdam has continued its route and is expected to dock in Jamaica today. The ship will stop at ports on Grand Cayman Island and in Mexico before it returns to Florida on Sunday.
The 73-year-old, whose identity has not yet been released, died on Saturday whilst visiting the private island RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay (pictured)
The victim, who was a dual British-Czechoslovakia national, had been travelling on the Holland America cruise ship ms Nieuw Amsterdam (pictured)
Police in Eleuthera responded to the RelaxAway private beach club shortly after 1pm on Saturday after the island manager alerted them of the accident.
Upon arrival at Half Moon Cay, officers carried out an initial investigation which revealed the woman was ‘riding a Jet ski when she allegedly lost control and collided with a rock resulting in the accident,’ police said in a statement.
‘Medical personnel rendered assistance to the victim but to no avail. She was pronounced deceased by the local medical doctor.’
The Royal Bahamas Police Force said the investigation remains ongoing.
Holland America, in a statement to People Magazine, confirmed that the woman had been a traveller on its Nieuw Amsterdam ship and ‘passed away following a tragic incident on a personal watercraft’.
‘The guest, a 73-year-old woman, died on March 22 while the ship was calling at Half Moon Cay, The Bahamas,’ a spokesperson told People. ‘We are in contact with the guest’s family and doing everything we can to support them during this difficult time.’
The cruise line declined to provide any further information ‘out of respect for the family and guest’.
Half Moon Cay is a private crescent-shaped island that features ‘white-sand beaches, a turquoise lagoon and untouched nature,’ Holland America boasts on its website.
The island, which has reportedly held the title of ‘Best Private Island’ for 20 years running, is known for its ‘beauty and amenities’, and is a highlight for cruise passengers ‘seeking tranquility or adventure’.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.