Cruise-sponsored excursion tragedy

Update February 24, 4:00 pm: The driver of the tour bus, Rolland Allen, has been arrested for dangerous driving causing death.

The Caribbean Princess docked this morning in Tortola to beautiful sunshine and sparkling water. But a cruise-sponsored excursion tragedy before noon changed the tone of the day.

The excursion picked up 20 passengers from the pier and headed to a "Tropical Forest Hike and Beach Adventure" (a cruise-sponsored excursion). A 24-year-old Rochester man on vacation with his parents, died when the tour bus he was in crashed into an embankment and rolled over.

Aaron Rumphrey (previously reported as Humphrey) was killed and two other passengers were seriously injured - one person broke a shoulder bone. The rest of the passengers are onboard and the ship has set sail for Antigua.

This is the first death involving a motor vehicle in Tortola this year. Although the streets are narrow and challenging to navigate, drivers in Tortola are courteous and happy to help tourists (we got lost a couple times and had to ask directions).

Princess takes great care with shore excursions. I spent an hour talking with the Shore Excursions Manager on the Caribbean Princess, Bryan Attree, earlier this week. His advice on booking cruise-sponsored excursions will help those trying to decide whether to fly solo or not.

"Princess audits and monitors tour operators continually to ensure safety is top priority," says Attree.

But accidents happen. Princess has cancelled the tour until investigations are complete and is providing support to family members. As well, Captain Tony Draper announced the accident on the ship twice today to ensure passengers are kept informed.

The Commissioner of Police Reynell Frazer commented: "Our Traffic Investigation Unit will do a thorough investigation into the cause of this accident. I have personally extended sympathy on behalf of the BVI Government to the family and have promised to keep them informed on the progress of the investigation."

Acting Director of the Tourist Board Hadassah Ward said: "For our visitors to come to enjoy our territory and meet such a fate is regrettable. We are saddened by this unexpected incident and the BVI Tourist Board has deployed the Coordinator of the Tourist Board's Visitor Support Service Programme Albert Wheatley who is presently with the family and assisting them with liaising with the appropriate authorities."

The Caribbean Princess left Sunday from San Juan for a seven day Southern Caribbean cruise. It will dock in Antigua tomorrow, St. Lucia on Thursday and Barbados on Friday before heading back to San Juan.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rumphrey family at this time.