Sir Richard Branson ‘deeply saddened’ after rising star chef dies in crash on billionaire’s island retreat

Sir Richard Branson is "deeply saddened" after chef Sihle Somdaka died in a buggy crash on Necker Island. Photo / Getty Images

Sir Richard Branson says he is “deeply saddened” after executive sous chef Sihle Somdaka died in a buggy crash on the billionaire’s Caribbean retreat Necker Island.

The 75-year-old entrepreneur was not on the island at the time of the crash but has been in close contact with staff and the chef’s family, according to reports.

Sihle, aged 37 and originally from Cape Town, South Africa, was found fatally injured late on Friday (local time) after apparently losing control of an electric buggy shortly after leaving a farewell party at the island’s Great House.

A source told the Sun Branson was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy.

The crash took place just before midnight, as Sihle drove down a steep hillside in one of the resort’s buggies.

Island medics attempted CPR before a doctor was flown in from neighbouring Moskito Island.

Sihle was then taken by boat to Peebles Hospital on Tortola, where he was pronounced dead from a head injury.

Police in the British Virgin Islands have launched a full investigation into the crash. A source told the Sun staff on Necker Island are working closely with local authorities to establish what happened.

Another insider alleged there had been “a culture of excess” at the luxury resort.

They said: “They’ve had very many close shaves and near misses over the years… it was only a matter of time, but it should never have happened.”

Sihle was described as a rising star in the culinary world.

The father-of-two had worked in high-end restaurants across the Middle East, including in Doha and Kuwait, before securing a position on Branson’s £95,000 ($218,024) a night private island.

Days before his death, Sihle shared images on social media of himself enjoying the beaches and jet skis at Necker Island, captioning one photograph: “Caribbean life”.