BODY OF BRITISH MILLIONAIRE RECOVERED OFF THE COAST OF BARBADOS AFTER TRAGIC DROWNING DEATH
British millionaire Mark Smith moved to Barbados to start a new life – but his ended while swimming in rough seas, despite warnings from locals to stay away.
His body was recovered by the local coast guard rescue team in the waters off Smith Sunset Crest in St. James around 8:30am on Sunday, February 1st; he had gone missing when a large wave pulled him under the day before.
Barbados Coast Guard search for Mark Smith, who went missing off the coast of Barbados on January 31, 2021.
Smith, 61, had an estimated net worth of $9.2 million and recently moved to the Eastern Caribbean island from his $1.6 million home in Sheffield, South Yorkshire in England following a split from his wife.
He was dragged under the rough waters after being pummeled by a large wave, despite vocal warnings from nearby beach-goers.
Smith was warned to avoid swimming in the waters due to 'adverse conditions' but went anyway.
"The man walked in the sea still and the rip current dragged him out," a local told a Barbadian news outlet. "We screamed ''Do not go in the water.'"
A witness said Smith went down after being struck by the wave and never resurfaced.
Smith's body was pulled from the choppy water about a half mile off the coast the day after being pulled under by a large wave.
A coast guard mission was launched after Smith was reported missing, and officials confirmed that his body was pulled from waters less than a mile off the coast on Monday.
One local told local media: "We screamed ''Do not go in the water.'"
"When he realized he was in difficulty he was hollering for help, but nobody could save him," the local added. "Common sense would tell you, don’t go in there."
Smith was spotted sunbathing just before his tragic demise.
Smith first went missing in waters off Smith Sunset Crest, St. James at around 8.30am on Sunday morning
Smith recently relocated to the island of Barbados after splitting from his wife.
A neighbor of Smith's in Barbados described the business man as 'an absolutely lovely person'.
"He was a really nice guy. He would do anything for anybody," she said.
Smith was reportedly living with a new partner on the island, which is a British Commonwealth nation. He also leaves behind two children.
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