The V.I. Police Department is investigating the death of a man who reportedly fell while walking on the coastline near Point Udall on St. Croix.
The victim was identified as Roby Royster, age 47, of Norwich, Connecticut.
According to police at 6:44 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, the 911 Emergency Call Center dispatched officers to Point Udall to assist with a possible injured person.
Upon arrival, officers learned that two men were hiking on the coastline east of the monument when one of the men lost his footing and fell, ending up on the rocks below. Officers located the unresponsive victim face down in the water and emergency medical technicians determined he had no vital signs.
Members of St. Croix Rescue, Virgin Islands Fire Services and the U.S. Coast Guard also assisted with the recovery, but according to the police report “could not perform their duties at that time due to poor lighting conditions, unstable terrain, and rough waters.”
Officials decided to reconvene the next day – at 6 a.m. Friday – to complete recovery efforts. Members of St. Croix Rescue, Virgin Islands Fire Services, the U.S. Coast Guard, personnel from the Medical Examiner’s Office and VIPD officers were able to retrieve the victim at approximately 7:50 a.m.
Police said the case remains under investigation.
