A post-mortem examination conducted Wednesday on the body of 7-year-old Angelica Jogie has confirmed that the young girl died as a result of multiple severe traumatic injuries, according to local law enforcement and medical officials in Tobago.
The forensic analysis was performed by leading pathologist Dr. Hubert Daisley at the Scarborough Mortuary, bringing official clarity to the cause of last week’s fatal incident that shocked the small coastal community. The tragedy unfolded on Pigeon Point Beach, one of Tobago’s most popular public recreational shorelines, when an out-of-control jet ski collided with Angelica, her father Arnold Jogie, and her uncle Darren Jogie last Wednesday. Angelica was pronounced dead at the scene, while her family members suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash.
In the days following the incident, police took a 32-year-old jet ski operator, a resident of Canaan Feeder Road in Tobago, into custody as the primary person of interest connected to the collision. As of Wednesday, the suspect remained in police detention while investigators work to complete their evidentiary review. Once all case details are compiled, law enforcement officials confirmed the full investigative file will be forwarded to Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard, who will make a final determination on what criminal charges, if any, will be filed.
Top regional officials have weighed in on the tragedy, expressing deep grief and calling for greater attention to recreational water safety. Orlando Kerr, Education Secretary for the Tobago House of Assembly, told reporters Wednesday that he is convinced this fatal outcome could have been prevented entirely. “It’s a tragedy, it is something that could have been avoided—totally could have been avoided,” Kerr said. Speaking from personal experience as a parent, he shared his sympathy for Angelica’s grieving family, noting, “I could only imagine what they are going through. It is going to be very difficult for them; I’m hoping that they would get some form of counselling.”
Kerr emphasized that preventable water-based accidents like this do not stem from gaps in legislation or regulation, but rather a need for greater consistent care and awareness among people operating recreational watercraft. “This has nothing to do with legislation or laws or nothing, is something just as human beings we have to be more concerned about people and people’s wellbeing. I think that it really is a tragedy,” he added. “Condolences to her family; but you know, it is really a loss of life at such a tender age…all that potential that has not been tapped—it is a sad thing, it is very sad.”
In the wake of Angelica’s death, the Tobago House of Assembly is coordinating logistical support to help the family complete funeral arrangements. Administrative teams are currently working to transfer Angelica’s body from Scarborough Mortuary back to Trinidad, where the young girl will receive her final burial rites according to her family’s wishes.