CHRISTIANSTED — Police are investigating whether a St. Croix man might have been fatally injured by a boat propeller in a freak accident in Christiansted harbor on Thursday, authorities said.
Police officers were dispatched to Altona Lagoon on a report of a possible body in the Caribbean Sea about 5:08 p.m. Thursday, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
“Officers contacted two males out at sea who stated they discovered the body of a Caucasian male floating in the harbor,” VIPD spokesman Toby Derima said.
The officers brought the body to the shore where it was determined that there were no signs of life, according to Derima.
“The body had severe injuries by what appears to be the propeller of a boat,” he said.
The victim was identified by his next of kin as Kenneth Steiner III, 67, according to the VIPD.
Police said the investigation into this sudden death is ongoing.
The VIPD is asking anyone who may have seen what happened to call 911, the Crime Tip Line at (340) 778-4950, or the paying anonymous tip line Crime Stoppers USVI at (800) 222-8477.