A shocking accident occurred on billionaire Sir Richard Branson’s private island, Necker Island, where executive sous chef Sihle Somdaka, 37, died after losing control of an electric buggy and crashing down a steep hillside. The incident unfolded shortly before midnight, according to reports, as Somdaka left a party at the island’s Great House and was pronounced dead from a fatal head injury.

Somdaka, a father of two from Cape Town, South Africa, had been described as a rising star in the culinary world. He worked in high-end restaurants across the Middle East before joining Branson’s £95,000-per-night private island resort. Days prior to his death, he shared social media posts showcasing his time at Necker Island, captioning one image “Caribbean life.”

Local medics and a doctor rushed to the scene, performing CPR before transporting Somdaka by boat to Peebles Hospital on Tortola. Despite efforts, he was declared dead. Branson, who was not present on the island during the incident, has been in contact with the family and Necker Island team, according to sources.

The British Virgin Islands police have launched an investigation into the crash. Some insiders cited a “culture of excess” at the luxury resort, noting previous close calls and near-misses. However, no official cause has been confirmed.

The tragedy has sparked comparisons to another incident involving Barack Obama’s former personal chef, Tafari Campbell, who died under mysterious circumstances in 2023. While no direct link has been established, questions surrounding the circumstances of both deaths persist.

Authorities have not released further details about Somdaka’s final moments, and the investigation remains ongoing.