Domino’s Pizza UK finance director, 51, dies in Boxing Day snorkelling accident while on holiday in Mauritius with his wife and daughter
- David Bauernfeind was found floating in an Indian Ocean lagoon off Belle-Mare
- He drowned on a Christmas retreat with his wife Nicolette and daughter Ornella
- Domino’s chief executive David Wild paid tribute to his ‘hugely liked’ colleague
The finance director of Domino’s UK has died while snorkelling off Mauritius on Boxing Day.
David Bauernfeind, 51, was found floating in a lagoon in the Indian Ocean off Belle-Mare by a yacht’s skipper yesterday morning.
The executive of the pizza delivery giant drowned on a Christmas retreat with his wife Nicolette and daughter Ornella, the company revealed.
David Baurnfeind died in a snorkelling accident off Mauritius on Boxing Day
A source close to the investigation into Mr Bauernfeind’s death said: ‘The man was confirmed dead by paramedics and his body was then transported to the Victoria Hospital in Candos.
‘An autopsy took place, and the cause of death was found to be asphyxiation caused by drowning.
‘His wife has identified the body, and other next of kin in Britain are being informed.’
The family had arrived in Mauritius on December 19, and were staying in a hotel in Belle-Mare.
Domino’s chief executive David Wild had paid tribute to his ‘hugely liked’ colleague, who joined the company in October 2018.
He was found floating in a lagoon in the Indian Ocean off Belle-Mare (file photo) by a yacht’s skipper on Thursday morning
He said: ‘We are all deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic news. On behalf of our Board, our colleagues and our franchisees, we send our heartfelt sympathies to David’s wife Nicolette and daughter Ornella as well as his wider family and friends.
‘David was hugely liked and deeply respected for his dedication and sharp intellect amongst Domino’s colleagues.
‘He was a force for good within the business and will be greatly missed.’
Mr Bauernfeind was formerly the finance boss of Connect Group, and helped build technology company Xchanging during 15 years at the business.
Mauritius boasts some of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the world, but strong undercurrents often take swimmers by surprise.
A dramatic spike in drownings in recent years led to the Mauritius government introducing sea surveillance platforms around beaches.
There was a particular problem with the island’s lagoons, where swimmers and people taking part in water sports such as kite surfing were lulled into a false of security by the warm and apparently still waters.
Mauritius, which is some 1200 miles off the south east coast of Africa, was administered by Britain up until 1968.
The island nation still attracts thousands of British holidaymakers every year, especially during the winter months.