Chef killed in electric buggy crash after late-night farewell party at Richard Branson’s private Caribbean island

A rising executive sous chef from South Africa was killed in a chaotic electric buggy accident while returning to his vacation home on tycoon Richard Branson’s private island in the Caribbean late Friday night, according to a report.

Sihle Somdaka, a 37-year-old father of two, died after he apparently lost control of the buggy after a night out celebrating at a farewell party at the island’s Great House, which used to be owned by Branson and his wife, The Sun reported.

Branson himself wasn’t on the island at the time, but is “deeply saddened” and has been in touch with Somdaka’s grieving family and the rest of the team at Necker Island, according to a statement provided to The Sun.

Somdaka left the party shortly after midnight and was rolling down a steep hillside in one of the resort’s buggies when he spun out of control and crashed, the outlet reported.

The island’s medical staff performed CPR and transported him by boat to a hospital off the island, officials told the publication.

He was pronounced dead shortly after, having apparently suffered a fatal head injury, authorities said.

The renowned chef was originally from Cape Town and was known for his stints at high-end restaurants in Kuwait and Qatar before landing the position at Branson’s Caribbean resort.

Mere days before the tragic crash, he was posting beachside photos of himself on social media, celebrating his entry into the “Caribbean life” complete with jet skis and sunsets galore.

The British Virgin Island authorities launched an investigation into Somdaka’s death and are working with Necker Island staff to piece together what exactly happened the night leading up to the crash.

One insider, though, pinned blame on the “culture of excess” on Branson’s multi-million dollar island dreamscape.

“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,” the source told The Sun.

Previous star guests on the island include the late Princess Diana, Harry Styles, Mariah Carey, and even Barack Obama for his first family vacation after his presidency concluded in 2017.