American Visitor Dies Suddenly on Beach in Eleuthera

French Leave (Club Med) Beach - File Photo

A 62-year-old visitor to Eleuthera, Mr. David Anderson, from Clarksville, Arkansas, USA, collapsed and died during a snorkeling outing at French Leave beach (Club Med beach), just outside of Governor’s Harbour on Wednesday morning, May 20th at about 11:45am.  Mr. Anderson, his wife Kathy Anderson and other family members, had arrived on island Thursday, May 14th, staying at Wykee Estates and had originally planned to return home on Thursday, May 21st before his sudden death.

His daughter Sarah Anderson-Mills, who was at his side when he collapsed, recounted to The Eleutheran, that they had gone out to the beach to go snorkeling and had been snorkeling for a bit when her Dad said, "let’s go get Mom, so she can come and see the fish".

At the shore, still ankle deep in water, she said her father stumbled, and appeared to be having trouble breathing and coughed a little. He then fell into the water, from where she pulled him onto shore.

David's wife and others on the beach ran to help them and rendered emergency breathing and CPR before placing him on the back of the truck and driving him to Levy Medical Clinic in Governor's Harbour, but according to his daughter, he had remained unresponsive since being pulled to shore.

Sarah commented on the treatment received from local officials and services through the traumatic ordeal, saying, “They’ve treated us so nice.  It really has been amazing, and they’ve been so understanding and kind.  Her voice breaking up with emotion, Sarah went on, “It’s not easy and this is so horrible, but everyone’s still been so amazing.”
 
David Anderson, born in 1947, celebrated his birthday in Eleuthera, turning 62 on the 16th of May, surrounded by his family and friends.  He was visiting Eleuthera with his wife Kathy; his daughter Sarah Anderson-Mills with her husband Steve and their two children, Caleb and Hannah; his son Christian with his wife Jennifer from Russellville, Arkansas and their two children, Deagan and Griffin; along with Sue and Greg Olsen from San Jose, California – Jennifer’s parents.
 
David’s family traveled into Nassau later that afternoon with his body for further examination.