A South African chef was killed in a late-night electric buggy crash on Richard Branson’s private Necker Island, reigniting scrutiny over the island’s history of calamity.
At a Glance
- Sihle Somdaka died in a buggy crash on Necker Island on August 30, 2025
- The accident occurred after a late-night farewell party at the Great House
- Branson was not present but is reportedly “devastated” by the news
- The Royal Virgin Islands Police are actively investigating the incident
- Necker Island has suffered past disasters including a 2011 fire and 2017 hurricane
Fatal Night in Paradise
The death of 37-year-old South African chef Sihle Somdaka on Richard Branson’s Necker Island has cast a shadow over one of the Caribbean’s most exclusive private retreats. Somdaka, who had recently completed a tenure on the island, was involved in a fatal electric buggy crash around 4 a.m. on August 30. The crash occurred on a steep incline shortly after a farewell celebration at the Great House, the island’s central venue for guests and staff.
Emergency aid was administered on-site by the island medic, assisted by personnel from neighboring Moskito Island. Despite resuscitation efforts, Somdaka was transported by boat to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead from a severe head injury. A second individual involved in the crash sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Watch now: Chef Dies After Buggy Crash on Branson’s Necker Island
Although Branson was not on the island at the time, he issued a statement expressing sorrow and has reportedly remained in close contact with Somdaka’s family and Necker Island employees. The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force confirmed that an investigation is underway, with full cooperation from staff and witnesses. A source close to operations on the island hinted at a long-standing “culture of excess,” noting that similar incidents had nearly occurred before.
A History of Catastrophe
Necker Island, purchased by Branson in 1979 and now operating as a high-end luxury resort, has seen its share of disasters. In 2011, the Great House was destroyed when lightning from Tropical Storm Irene ignited a fire. At the time, actress Kate Winslet was among the guests and reportedly helped rescue Branson’s 90-year-old mother, Eve.
Six years later, Hurricane Irma devastated the entire British Virgin Islands, including Necker. Branson and his family famously rode out the storm in the island’s wine cellar. While most of the property was rebuilt by 2018, the incident underlined the vulnerability of luxury outposts in climate-exposed regions.
Despite these setbacks, Necker Island remains a haven for celebrities and global elites. Past guests include Princess Diana, Barack and Michelle Obama, Mariah Carey, and Harry Styles. The island’s exclusive atmosphere and isolation have long been part of its allure—but critics argue this same seclusion can obscure accountability.
Elite Playground or Safety Hazard?
Necker’s luxury brand has faced intermittent scrutiny for its labor conditions, lack of public access, and now, its safety protocols. Some insiders describe a laissez-faire culture where celebratory excess is normalized, and staff are expected to blend long hours with client-facing social engagement. Somdaka’s death marks the most serious incident since Hurricane Irma, and one that authorities say was entirely preventable.
As investigations continue, questions persist about how such tragedies unfold in these cloistered environments. For now, Necker Island finds itself at an uncomfortable intersection of opulence and oversight—a place where paradise has again proven perilous.
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