In the tight–knit community of Anguilla, two tragic incidents over the past week have resulted in the deaths of three persons.
Weekly radio programme Just the Facts Host, Mrs. Cora Richardson Hodge and co-host Mr. Cardigan Connor extended sympathies to those left to grieve.
During their programme on Monday 13th March, 2023, the Parliamentary Opposition members shared their sincere condolences with the grieving family members who have been affected by the losses.
It was reported that on Saturday 11th March, 2023, at about 10:00 a.m., the charter boat Calypso 2 ended up in the rocks in the vicinity of the famous Arch, a renowned geographical feature in West End. This incident claimed the lives of two females – a young lady who was a member of the crew, as well a visiting tourist.
Earlier that week on Thursday afternoon a young man who resided in the Mt. Fortune area was alleged to have committed suicide by hanging. Remarkably, this individual was a cousin of the Just the Fact’s co-host, Mr. Connor.
“The seas were particularly rough that day [Saturday 11th March, 2023],” said Mrs. Richardson-Hodge, “and that would have resulted in this traumatic incident. Unfortunately, when situations like these occur, then you realise how much of a tight-knit community we really are. All of us feel the anguish, though we were not directly involved. Even though we might not have gone down to the tragic scene or had any firsthand information pertinent to the tragedy, that type of news which involves such painful loss of loved ones does resonate across the entire island.”
“Yes Cora, it does affect us all. If you think about it, many folks from several households across the island would have likely gone on similar trips on a boat like that to tour our beautiful island,” Mr. Connor responded. “However, on days like that, though, there is obviously more risk with the condition of the sea.”
“And though we do not blame anyone, there are lessons that can be learnt from an incident like this. We must ask ourselves, ‘what could have been done to prevent this from happening, he continued. “For the lives that are lost, we have to make sure that they are not lost in vain. We must ensure that, going forward, enforced regulations must be in place to help to mitigate the likelihood of such incidents in the future.”
“And then, two days before, on Thursday,” Mrs. Richardson-Hodge reflected, “we learned of the unfortunate loss of another young life – a [twenty-seven-year-old].”
“Well, this one is close to my heart. The young man was my cousin,” Mr. Connor commented.
“This young man migrated here from the UK. He is an Anguillian through his parents. Reports are that he was depressed. He had lost his job in England during the pandemic, and his parents wanted to take him out of that environment there. They figured that bringing him to Anguilla, which he regards as his home, would be of help to him,” Mr. Connor said.
“When people say they are depressed, we must never push it aside. We cannot treat depression lightly. I am sure that the parents did all they possibly could to take the pressure off him, but obviously he could not bear it any longer…. Some people might say, ‘I would never take my life,” Mr. Connor noted. “But you would never know what happens in these kinds of circumstances.”
“It is very unfortunate,” he said, “that one tragic incident led to another over the weekend. So last week was not a good one for us, I am afraid.”
The Anguillian also tenders its deepest sympathy to all who are left to mourn.
