The late Royal Dutch Air Force Commodore Bas Vos.
ST. EUSTATIUS--A Police patrol and the ambulance service were dispatched to Pleasures Drive in St. Eustatius on Friday, April 6, around 5:00pm after neighbours found an elderly man lying on the ground who was not showing any signs of life. Ambulance personnel checked for vital signs and determined that “rigor mortis” had already set in. The doctor was then summoned to the scene who pronounced the death of 74-year-old Dutch national Bas Vos.
The Acting Prosecutor took charge of the investigation on the scene. Police investigated the area and determined there were no signs of foul play.
The road where the body was found is off the beaten track and a way up the slope of the Quill volcano. Neighbours discovered the body after they arrived home from work on Friday afternoon.
The personnel of the hearse came to the scene and retrieved the body and took it to Queen Beatrix Medical Centre, where the doctor on duty examined the body in the presence of the Police. The body did not display any signs of trauma or foul play, according to the Caribbean Netherlands Police Force KPCN in a statement on Monday.
After consultation with the Prosecutor and personnel of the Forensic Department, the body of the deceased was turned over to his wife.
Vos’ sudden death came as a shock to many in the community. His wife Trudy, who is a very active volunteer at St. Eustatius Historical Foundation’s information gallery in Lower Town, said her husband had an active interest in Statia’s community. He was actively involved with the building of St. Eustatius Animal Welfare’s shelter. He also assisted with picking up animals in need and making sure they were looked after.
She said her husband had a “very successful” career as the main physician of the Royal Dutch Air Force at the largest military airport in the Netherlands at Volkel. He retired as Health Care Inspector of the Military with the title of Commodore. But on Statia, she said, Vos could relive the life he led while growing up as a farmer’s son.
