UPDATE: Man dies in accident under Canefield Cliff

The motorcycle involved in the accident
The motorcycle involved in the accident

The Police have confirmed the death of Emile Antoine Raffoul, 36, of Copthall.

The death was the result of a motor vehicular collision, which occurred at about 6:45pm on Saturday 30th January, under the Canefield cliff on the E.O. Leblanc highway.

At the time of the accident, Raffoul was the rider of a Honda street bike, registration number PN986. The bike collided with the rear of a Nissan bus, registration number HE043, driven by Newman Collins, of Mahaut. Raffoul then lost control of the bike. It was reported that both vehicles were travelling in a southerly direction.

He was transported to the Accident and Emergency Department of the PMH, where he was officially pronounced dead by a medical doctor.

The scene was processed by the crime scenes unit of the CID. A coroner’s inquest will be convened.

Investigations are ongoing.

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45 Comments

  1. Tiffany
    March 25, 2016

    I wish I knew where his father was so I can say how sorry I am for his loss. Emile’s father was my best friend when I was a teenager. My condolences to you Antoine. EUSTACE CLEMENT LEBLANC. Look me up I’m in Texas and call me

  2. AUTHENTIC HARLEMER & DAUGHTER OF WAITUKUBULI
    March 13, 2016

    I am truly saddened by this news. I remember him from our secondary school era. He was always so handsome, pleasant and well loved.
    We will miss you, Emile!

    May your soul rest in peace.

  3. Nashon Bellot
    February 14, 2016

    tribute to a real soldier our homie Emile Raffoul see you later brotherman till we meet again

  4. February 6, 2016

    soo sory :cry: :cry:

  5. angel
    February 1, 2016

    I cannot express how sorry I am for his loss. He was a good man. Sadly, he is the second friend of mine to die on a motor bike in Dominica in 8 days.

  6. Concerned
    February 1, 2016

    Rest in peace Emile. I pray that your life was given to God before your death.

  7. OlSarge
    February 1, 2016

    There have been fatal accidents under the canfield cliff road since the 1960.s there was one in 1965 where a man on a motorcycle died during a head on collision with a truck, he was not wearing a helmet because back then it was not mandatory to wear a helmet, back then it was a two lane road and very narrow. It has always been a dangerous road even with improvements.

  8. duck1951
    February 1, 2016

    FYI, a coroner’s inquiry is vital to determine whether the individual was under control of any substance . Simultaneously the other driver should have been tested as well .

    • Dominican
      February 2, 2016

      HUH? The man was going about his business he doh even know the fella bruise his bus what you testing him for? because is “emile raffoul”

      • Anonymous
        February 2, 2016

        You shut up people are grieving

  9. Listener
    February 1, 2016

    Deepest sympathies to his family n friend i for sure will miss him RIP bro

  10. Never shameful
    February 1, 2016

    Question, was he wearing a helmet? Just a question.
    Helmet save lives. :-x

    • February 1, 2016

      He died with the helmet on his head,helmets are a plus for your own security but it cannot protect you 100%..this road is a 2 way road with no side walk ,he was not a stranger to that area ,there a a few dead spots on that road so there is no need to over take ,,especially dominica is a small place ,the majority of the roads are built with no emergency parking no side walks ,,drivers a busy to go and come ,just too greedy to make more money without thinking of the security of the population…

      • funiti
        February 1, 2016

        Do you live on the moon?! One of the few roads in the country with a hard shoulder on both sides ranging from 4 to 8 feet in some areas. Can you show some compassion rather than desperately looking to criticize?

      • Dominican
        February 2, 2016

        That person leaving in mars I am sure they have not been in DA for fifty years. You really made yourself a fool in public good thing we cant see your face

    • vocal
      February 1, 2016

      yes he was….he was fully geared up

    • February 1, 2016

      Helmets DO NOT SAVE lives. Helmets only protect one from certain injuries. My son had his helmet on, he suffered a broken leg; however, he didn’t get assistance, on time, causing blood to build up around his plural/lungs resulting in his death.

      It is wise to ALWAYS wear helmets and seat belts.

  11. game changers
    February 1, 2016

    Sad News
    My Condolences to Emile’s friends and family.
    Too many drivers are too busy on roads which are too narrow and too winding. . . . and Short.
    They speed up, overtake you just past The Cove corner, at race car speeds,
    and then you end up right behind them, in traffic, at Deep water harbor area.
    We going nowhere, fast.

    • Eric
      February 1, 2016

      All the guys riding bike in Dominica need remedial training/re-education. The way the drive an pass (even in Roseau) scares me.

  12. papa
    January 31, 2016

    Rip

  13. Blank
    January 31, 2016

    36yrs old, yes this was the age of Emile. He is a young man with supposedly so much to live for. It is unfortunate that his death seem to come so soon after the recent passing of another family member. Now, down to what is really going on in the traffic in Dominica is insane to say the least. The responsibility is on all of us in Dominica to speak with our family members, friends and acquaintances to drive/ride carefully. We live in a country with relatively little to no enforcement of existing traffic laws except for the stop and fine of drivers with unlicensed vehicles/motorcycle. Government need to apply pressure of CODPF members to enforce the traffic laws. Another cause of major accident is drinking and driving/riding. We need to also deal with this heavy drinking by young people. I believe we need videos w/ accidents and there impacts on our health systems, family and friends. We need to regulate the speed limit on our roads and strictly enforce them daily.

  14. Tall is her body
    January 31, 2016

    What’s is the purpose of a coroner’s inquest when nobody can be charged ever by the five individuals who siting and listen to the police give their statements of the death? It’s a waste of time! The only outcome which can be said is death by vehicular accident or in other circumstances to die of natural causes, death by drowning or other causes. Nothing comes out of coroner’s inquest. The family should be left alone in their time of grief and not to relieve the horrible situation.

    • Tony
      February 1, 2016

      To: Tall is her body.

      Hello and good morning my people. An inquest is conducted to determined fault because someone died. The Police conduct their investigation and submit their findings which the family can used in a Civil lawsuit because we don’t know if the van driver was backing up which cause or contributed to the accidental death of the motorcyclist. Every death must be properly investigated to make sure no criminal act occurred.

      • Tall is her body
        February 1, 2016

        Tony what your saying maybe the truth in another jurisdiction. However in the Commonwealth of Dominica a coroner’s inquest just summaries when the police was called, how the body was found what time of death and so forth. The five people sitting at the coroner’s inquest CANNOT give any any other response that what I stated earlier. It’s said but that’s the truth. The five individuals siting at the coroner’s inquest my ask questions but trust me when I say I goes no where. In so much I sat on one of those juries a couple years ago and was pissed about the response I could give as the head jurier. If the police does not charge a person nothing can come about. You can go ask questions from lawyer or go to the magistrate’s court on Independence Street and the Corner of Turkey Lane just ask to sitting on one cause they are always looking for juriers.

  15. Y
    January 31, 2016

    The driver of the vehicle abruptle stopped??? Sad that he died so young

    • Dominican
      February 2, 2016

      REally? Let me sit back and listen to excuses because he was “emile raffoul”

      • Anonymous
        February 2, 2016

        seems like you hated him? you better stop talking

    • Dominican
      February 2, 2016

      Even if the driver abruptly stopped he had no right to be so close to be affected. The law says give the man infront you his space, anytime you behind you wrong!

  16. stocky
    January 31, 2016

    speed kills… one less biker boy to worry about, the road will be much safer

    • papa bat
      February 1, 2016

      REALLY!!!!
      You cannot be serious. I think u drink too much alcohol to make such a statement.
      He was someone’s son, brother, friend, perhaps father, perhaps husband/boyfriend
      So pple are suffering from this lost. Dont be so cruel.

    • bigmack
      February 1, 2016

      As a rider my self, i will pray for you for making such a statement.

    • Spectator
      February 1, 2016

      That’s not a nice thing to say shame on you

  17. Natural Isle
    January 31, 2016

    As you live in His embrace. in your time of sorrow,
    Know that God is always with You,-Matt28:20. He will hold you in His arms And wipe away your tears, He understands your pain; & He feels the grief you feel–so give to Him your broken heart, For He, in time, will heal… “God has him now in his glory!” Eternal Rest grant unto Him Oh Lord! & Let perpetual Light shine upon Him. May his Soul rest in Peace! RIP Bro.

  18. Natural Isle
    January 31, 2016

    My Deepest Condolences to His Family & Friends in this moment of tragedy…May God be with you now As you face this time of grief, & loss & May you know the comfort of the Lord
    In your darkest hour of need.
    Cast All your Cares and burdens on the Lord (Ps 55:22/ 1Pet 5:7) & Know that the Lord Jesus cares for you! Jesus says Come to me All You who are Weary and Heavy Burdened and I will give You Rest. (Matt 11:28)
    When your soul is deeply pained; No matter what you may go through,
    Know that His love endures forever Ps136:1. I pray that in this time of loss,
    You’ll feel God’s love much more And that you’ll find your comfort
    In the unchanging presence of the Lord. (Heb 13:8)
    We pray God pours upon you, His sweet amazing grace especially upon the entire family at this time, And overflow your hearts with His Peace…

  19. January 31, 2016

    My deepest sympathies and condolences to Mr. Antoine Raffoul and family may you be comforted in this time of grief .The question why did it happen is infinite and the answer is also infinite. I am customer at your store and every time i find him to be a courteous young man. R.I.P Emile.

  20. 100% Nature Isle girl
    January 31, 2016

    the accident was not 6:45, it was somewhere after 8 minutes to 9pm ,

  21. Me
    January 31, 2016

    What utter tragedy. How much can a man take?

  22. Unknow
    January 31, 2016

    The police sure the time is right…get you all facts straight……R.I.P my dear friend.

  23. Me
    January 31, 2016

    If they collided while both travelling south how comes he did not fly to the sea? Was he overtaking on the left? If he was that’s a lesson to the bikers…nuff said

    • indeed
      February 2, 2016

      they were both travelling in same direction…the bike was about to overtake the but on the RIGHT THE CORRECT SIDE when the bus pulled out the biker had not enough time to save himself this is the truth Mr Raffoul was SOBER This was a tragic accident he was a good rider and wore his helmet and full protective gear………

  24. Help us God
    January 31, 2016

    RIP Emile. What a sad way to go man! I don’t know the circumstances around but if anything, your death reminds us that we must always be ready in life because we just don’t know when.
    To the Raffoul family, we extend deepest sympathy at such a difficult time, as you have to once again deal with a very sad death. May God give you supernatural grace and strength, during this very difficult time. Our prayers are with you all.

    Here is an unrelated news I found online while reading brits news, and thought I should share with dno readers. Please open link below:
    http://metro.co.uk/2016/01/31/murder-in-paradise-fears-there-is-someone-stalking-british-people-in-the-carribean-5654313/

  25. sassie sue
    January 31, 2016

    May His soul rest in peace. And his family find comfort in the Most High God.

  26. leanna
    January 31, 2016

    Rip. Gone too soon.

  27. Saddened
    January 31, 2016

    Emile my boy you will greatly be missed. What comforts me is that you were a great individual and touched everyone you came into contact with. Your family and friends have suffered a great loss. I personally know this is not how you wanted it to end but God Must have a bigger plan for you. I know wherever you are, jokes already busting and you have people grinning their teeth. Stay cool bro and we will meet on the other side one day. You will always be my Mini Me!

    Saddened

  28. Lucy Matthew
    January 31, 2016

    Such a beautiful full spirited person… taken away so soon. It is hard for your family, friends and well wishers. Rest in perfect peace Emile. Happy to have known someone like you

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