By FRANCIS JOSEPH
A 33-year-old Tobago Jet Ski Operator has been charged with Manslaughter arising out of the death of seven year-old Angelica Jogie on April 8.
The charge arose from an incident at Pigeon Point Marine Park, Tobago, where Angelica died at the Scarborough General Hospital after a jet ski collided with her within an area designated for bathing.
On Monday, Director of Public Prosecutions, Roger Gaspard SC, gave advice to investigators, to charge the suspect, a jet ski operator of Canaan, with manslaughter.
The suspect was re-arrested in connection with the matter on Monday. He will appear before the Tobago High Court on Tuesday.
Investigations were conducted under the leadership of Snr. Supt. Kirk, Supt. Joseph, ASP Baccus, Insp. Alleyne and supported by Sgt. Jonas, all of the Tobago Division.
Angelica, of Barrackpore, was vacationing in Tobago with relatives when the incident occurred. Her father, Arnold Jogie, and an uncle were also struck by the jet ski and sustained injuries. Angelica later died while receiving treatment at the Scarborough General Hospital.
The case sparked widespread public outrage and renewed calls for tighter regulation and enforcement of jet ski operations at the island’s beaches.
The day after the incident, police arrested a Tobago man in connection with the collision. He was subsequently released pending legal advice as investigators compiled their file for submission to the DPP.
In May, Angelica’s father questioned why no charges had been laid despite what he described as numerous eyewitnesses to the tragedy.
Earlier this month, the family’s attorneys, led by Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan of Freedom Law Chambers, issued pre-action protocol letters to the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), Pigeon Point Heritage Park Ltd and the jet ski operator, signalling their intention to pursue civil proceedings.
The Jogie family alleges that the THA and Pigeon Point Heritage Park Ltd, as the entities responsible for managing and operating the facility, failed to establish, implement and enforce adequate safety measures to protect beach users from the risks posed by jet skis and other watercraft.
THA Secretary for Legal Affairs Adanna Joseph-Wallace confirmed receipt of the pre-action documents and said the Assembly would respond through the normal legal process.
