Inter-Island Communication News Brief – July 29, 2019

A police spokesperson said, “Around 1:55am Saturday, July 27th police, Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service and ambulance personnel responded to a reported serious single vehicle crash on Malabar Road in Sandys parish involving a motorcyclist.

“It appears that the rider, believed to be a 19 year old man, was traveling west on Malabar Road at the time.

“He was found seriously injured, in an unresponsive state and was rushed from the scene via ambulance.

“Sadly, the young man was later pronounced dead at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

“Traffic diversions were in place for approximately three hours while the scene was processed.

“A full investigation into this latest road fatality – the fifth for 2019 – is underway and any witnesses are urged to call the main police telephone number 295-0011 as soon as possible.”

Minister of Tourism and Transport, Zane DeSilva said, “Today we mourn the passing of a young man; yet another tragic death on our roads. I extend my deepest and most sincere condolences to the family and friends during this difficult time.

“The Ministry of Tourism and Transport remains committed to road safety and urges all motorist to take care and caution when operating their motor vehicles and be considerate of other road users.”

A police spokesperson said, “Around 1:55 am Saturday, July 27th police received a report that a 29-year-old man was missing from a boat and believed to have fallen overboard.

“It appears that the local man took part in a cruise on a private vessel with several other passengers and was last seen aboard the boat as it travelled back from Paradise Lakes to Albuoy’s Point.

“The Maritime Operations Centre was alerted and a maritime search was commenced by the private vessel involved – with marine police, a Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service vessel and a pilot vessel joining the effort in the waters between Paradise Lakes and Albuoy’s Point.

Thankfully, subsequent to the search, the 29-year-old man was found alive and well on Watling Island in the Great Sound, having only sustained some abrasions.

Commissioner of Police Stephen Corbishley extended his thanks, saying: “Teamwork, perseverance and the willingness of the various agencies and community members to work together, clearly ensured the safety of this young man.

“A full investigation will now take place to find out how he came to be in the water. The investigation will also look at any lessons to be learned from a safety aspect and seek to identify if there are any issues to be considered in regards to the cruise this young man was on at the time.”

A post-Brexit Working Group will be formed to “consider and address” any issues required to prepare Bermuda. This from Premier David Burt, as he communicated with the House of Assembly about the local implications of Boris Johnson’s installation as leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister and his declared commitment for the UK to withdraw from the European Union by October 31st. Premier Burt shared quote:

“Bermuda, like many other Overseas Territories, must renew their preparation for these events. This is especially important where there is the growing likelihood of a ‘no deal’ Brexit.

“As part of Bermuda’s ongoing preparation for this scenario, I have determined strike a Post-Brexit Working Group to consider and address those issues required to prepare Bermuda for the likely post-Brexit scenarios which may obtain in the United Kingdom.”

The Premier said that MP Walton Brown to chair this Working Group, which is proposed to consist of the following representative members: Trade Union Congress Representative, Opposition Representative, PLP Representative, Business community Representative, Youth Representative, NGO/3rd Sector Representative and Civil servant [ex offico / secretary].

“As part of its remit the Working Group will examine possible responses of Bermuda to any changes in UK relations with OTs including any necessary constitutional change as well as any necessary changes to the existing regime of self-governance presently enjoyed by Bermuda,” the Premier added.

Finally, fulfilling one PATI request took 12 Public Officers almost 400 hours at a cost of over $20,000 to process. As such, the civil service leadership has been engaged to identify ways to enhance efficiency and efficacy of the state’s obligation to the public access to information. This from Premier David Burt in the House of Assembly.