Tragedy gripped a small community in Pembroke last night after a 44-year old Canadian national living in the area fell to his death at a rented sea-side home on the North Shore after losing his footing on the house?s dock.

The man, who it is understood has been living in Bermuda for the past year, was reportedly helping to erect a boom for lowering and raising boats at around 7.20 p.m at 33 North Shore Road, when he fell hea first on to the lower tier of the deck ? a distance of some eight feet ? with the heavy boom then crashing down on top of him.

Ambulances were called and arrived only a few minutes after the accident took place ? but the man was pronounced dead at the scene ? opposite Pembroke Primary School ? moments later.

Speaking to near the accident scene last night, Police media relations spokesman Dwayne Caines said more information about the dead man will be released only when his family has been informed.

Immediately following the accident, local residents were out in force in the pitch black of the street ? although none were willing to talk to the media ? while access to the dock was rendered impossible by a tight Police cordon guarded by, among others, the acting Head of the Serious Crime Unit Sgt. Arthur Glasford.