Initial reports which reached MiyVue suggest that one of the company’s tour busses (GT68) was travelling along the road which leads to Brimstone Hill, when gunmen launched an attack.

Specifics of the information MiyVue received indicated that a blockade was in the pathway of the vehicle and when the driver disembarked to investigate, he was approached by gunmen, which caused him to flee the scene.

Hendrickson, in an exclusive interview with MiyVue, explained that according to his understanding of the incident, his driver did not abandon ship as was previously believed, but when the opportunity presented itself, he left the scene to seek assistance.

“According to the report that was received from the driver, he was on his way to Brimstone Hill and he realized there was either a tree or part of a tree across the road. He attempted to reverse and in so doing somebody threw a large rock into the front windscreen of the bus; of course startling him and the passengers. Soon enough, two men came from the bushes with guns in hand, masks on face, and demanding that he get off the bus, so he did.

“He was taken to the back of the bus and the other went onto the bus and obviously robbed the guests. He was taken to the back and I guess because of the ruckus, the man who was with him, left him and went onto the bus so he started running. I think anyone in their right mind would run too. It’s not that he ran away without them, he ran to get help. Soon after he came back with the police and was able to wave off some approaching taxi drivers so that the situation didn’t escalate further.”

Hendrickson confirmed that the cruise visitors – who arrived in St. Kitts aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Line vessel, Celebrity Mercury – were robbed of personal items including cameras, jewellery and cash. He also indicated that his company is working with the Tourism Authority’s public relations firm to “ensure that the information is disseminated but disseminated truly and not misconstrued”.

“On behalf of my company and the people of St. Kitts Nevis, we would like to continue to encourage visitors to come to our shores and let them know that this is an unprecedented incident and this is not the norm…”