Domino’s Pizza boss drowns snorkelling off paradise island
A British boss at fast food giant Domino’s Pizza died while snorkelling off Mauritius on Boxing Day.
the body of David Bauernfeind, the chief finance officer of the UK arm of the company, was reportedly discovered in a lagoon 150ft offshore by a yacht skipper.
his body was taken to the morgue at the island’s Victoria hospital, where the cause of death was confirmed as asphyxia due to drowning.
it is understood that Mr Bauernfeind’s wife Nicolette raised the alarm when he failed to return to their hotel, and later identified his body.
the couple were on holiday with their daughter Ornella when the accident occurred.
they were staying at a hotel in the upmarket Belle- Mare area of the indian Ocean island, renowned for its powder-white beaches and clear waters. the 51-yearernfeind old joined the British arm of the global company in October 2018 and has been described by colleagues as a ‘ hugely liked and deeply respected’ man.
David Wild, Domino’s chief executive, 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 and daughter as well as his wider family and friends.’
he added: ‘[David] was a force for good within the business and will be greatly missed.’ Mr Bauwas formerly the finance boss of Connect Group and helped build technology company Xchanging.
According to his Linkedin page, he studied international politics at Aberystwyth University between 1986 and 1989 before joining the institute of
Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
he also held positions at Deloitte and touche, BAE systems and Gooch & housego.
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 watersports such as snorkelling and kite surfing were lulled into a false sense of security by the warm and apparently calm waters. in 2014, 17- year- old Callum howkins drowned while on holiday with his family in tamarin Bay after being dragged underwater by strong undercurrents.
Mauritius, which is some 1,200 miles off the south-east coast of Africa, was administered by Britain until 1968.
the island nation still attracts thousands of British holidaymakers every year, especially during the winter months.
A Mauritius police spokesman said there would be a ‘ full investigation’ into Mr Bauernfeind’s death. it was currently being viewed as a ‘tragic accident,’ he said.
‘Hugely liked and deeply respected’