Sir Richard Branson has been left heartbroken after a chef died after a party on his island. Sihle Somdaka was the executive sous chef at Necker Island in the Caribbean.

Police in the British Virgin Islands have launched an investigation after Somdaka died from a head injury. He is believed to have sustained this after losing control of an electric buggy on Friday (August 29) night, following a goodbye party for guests at the exclusive £95,000-a-night island. The father-of-two from Cape Town was invited to the party alongside other staff. He left just before midnight on an electric buggy and is said to have veered off the road and down a steep hill. According to a source, the chef was found unconscious with a head injury. The island’s medic was called to the scene, and another from the nearby island of Moskito. They began CPR whilst arrangements were made to transport him by boat to Peeble’s Hospital on the island of Tortola. He was later pronounced dead.

The source said that staff on the island are “working with a number of local officials” to establish what happened.

The Virgin boss, who owns Necker Island, reportedly wasn’t on the island when the incident occurred but has been “in close contact with the family and the Necker Island team”.  A source said: “This is, of course, his primary concern. He is understandably deeply saddened by the incident.”

Somdaka recently shared pictures from his time on Necker Island, with the caption “Caribbean Life”. The pictures showed him riding a jet ski and preparing meals. He worked around the globe, including at other prestigious establishments such as Opa Doha in Doha and Razzmatazz in Kuwait.

Last night, a spokesperson for Virgin Limited Edition said: “It is with deepest sadness that we can confirm that one of our Necker Island team members, sadly passed away on Saturday. They were a hugely talented and exceptional member of the Necker Island family, and we are all devastated by this news.

“Our utmost priority is the wellbeing of their family and friends, and that of our team, and we are doing everything we can to support them all during this very difficult time.”