Dubai journalist dies in Seychelles boat crash

Tributes have been paid to a Dubai-based radio journalist who has been killed in a boating accident in the Seychelles.

Rebecca Davidson, a 35-year-old Kiwi, died after sustaining serious injuries during the incident in the channel between the main island of Mahe and Sainte Anne Island on Friday.

The Seychelles Ministry of Home Affairs and Transport and Ministry of Tourism and Culture confirmed details of the tragedy, adding that five foreign visitors and staff of the island resort collided with another boat coming from Cerf Island.

It said Davidson was pronounced deceased upon her arrival at the Seychelles Hospital. Four other people were taken to the hospital for examination and one of them, a British national, was admitted for observation, and her condition has been described as stable.

The Arabian Radio Network said on Saturday it was "deeply saddened" at the news of the death of Davidson, who was the deputy head of programming at Dubai Eye 103.8 and the ARN News Centre.

In a statement, the station said she was admired hugely by her colleagues and well loved by all who knew her.

She was on a press trip to the Seychelles to gather stories for the station, it added in the statement.

Mahmoud al Rasheed, ARN general manager said: “We are one family at ARN and all of us would like to send our condolences to the family of Rebecca. She will be greatly missed by the entire team at ARN.”

Steve Smith, ARN chief operating officer added: “We are shocked and saddened at the loss of Rebecca, who was a key member of our team, a close friend to all and without a doubt a talented, rising star of the future. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Rebecca’s family in New Zealand.”

The Seychelles Maritime Safety Administration has opened a formal investigation to ascertain the cause of the accident.

Simultaneously, the Seychelles police have also launched an investigation into the incident.

Joel Morgan, the Seychelles Minister for Home Affairs and Transport, said: “It is deeply regrettable that this tragedy has taken place, and we are ensuring that a full investigation is carried out.

"The safety of passengers using ferries between the islands is of paramount importance for our islands, and such accidents are rare."

Seychelles is currently hosting the 3rd edition of its annual carnival and hosts to large press groups, of which Rebecca Davidson was part of the Dubai Eye Radio delegation, he added.