safety steps

Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) on Thursday, January, 2024 – A small, one (1) engine aircraft, Registration Number N4023B, owned and piloted by Mr. Robert Sachs of Bequia, crashed into the sea, one (1) nautical mile West of Petit Nevis, sometime after midday (earlier today).

There were three (3) passengers on board, namely: Mr. Christian Klepser, 51 years old, from the United States of America, and his two (2) daughters, Madita Klepser and Annik Klepser, 10 and 12 years old, respectively.

The aircraft went airborne from the J.F. Mitchell Airport in Paget Farm about 12:11 p.m. for St. Lucia as its final destination. Moments after taking off, the aircraft experienced difficulties and plummeted into the ocean.

Fishermen and divers from Paget Farm went to the scene of the incident in their boats to render assistance. The SVG Coast Guard was informed and quickly traveled to Paget Farm, Bequia, to lead in the rescue efforts.

The Four (4) bodies of the aforementioned persons were recovered from the aircraft/sea by Coast Guard personnel and were later pronounced deceased by a medical practitioner.

The bodies were transported to St. Vincent on board the Coast Guard vessel and were taken to the Kingstown Mortuary, where post-mortem examinations are expected to be carried out to ascertain the cause of death.

The RSVGPF expresses condolences to all who are negatively affected by this tragic incident. The RSVGPF will update the public as more information is gathered. Investigation into the matter continues.

PRESS STATEMENT UPDATE:

Concerning the press release that was issued by the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) on Thursday, January, 2024, captioned “Tragic Plane Crash in Bequia,”

The RSVGPF acknowledges that there was an error in the release where it stated that the four bodies were recovered from the aircraft/sea by Coast Guard personnel.

The RSVGPF wishes to give full credit to the valiant efforts of the Fishermen and Divers from the Bequia community who collaborated with the SVG Coast Guard in the retrieval operation.

The bodies were recovered from the wreckage by the divers and handed over to Coast Guard personnel at the scene.

The RSVGPF and the SVG Coast Guard Service value the partnership and collaboration of members of the public in the execution of their duties.

The selfless and brave acts of the fishermen and divers is very much appreciated and supported 100 percent by the authorities.