A British millionaire businessman has drowned in Barbados after being warned by locals not to venture into the sea in rough conditions.
Mark Smith, 61, had recently moved to the Caribbean from his £1.2million home in Sheffield, South Yorkshire after splitting from his wife and had reportedly been living with a new partner.
A rescue mission was launched by the local coast guard after Mr Smith went missing in waters off Smith Sunset Crest, St. James at around 8.30am on Sunday morning.
Mr Smith, who has an estimated wealth of £6.8million in assets, had repeatedly been warned by other beach-goers not to venture into the water due to the adverse conditions.
A witness said the millionaire was hit by a large wave. He did not see the man resurface and could not find him after looking for him.
One local was quoted by local media reports as saying: ‘We screamed ”Do not go in the water”.
‘The man walked in the sea still and the rip current dragged him out.’
Officials confirmed that his body was pulled from waters less than a mile off the coast on Monday.
A neighbour close to where Mr Smith had been staying in Barbados described the business man as ‘lovely’.
‘He was a really nice guy. He would do anything for anybody,’ she told the publication.
Smith leaves behind two children.
