Tributes have been paid by Bermuda's sporting fraternity to Derek Bell, who died in a freak accident on Tuesday night.

Bell (38) was standing in his boat at the wharf at Rocky Hill Bay in St. George's when he is believed to have slipped and fallen into the water at about 8 p.m.

Friends and family conducted a search with Police and his body was found at 9.45 p.m. He was pronounced dead an hour later.

Bell was a former Bermuda international soccer player and also turned out for Hotels International and North Village Rams.

"The North Village family are deeply saddened and shocked by the passing of Derek," said Village president Shervin Dill yesterday.

"He has been a long serving member of North Village Community club for many years and we take this opportunity to extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to his immediate family."

During his playing days at Hotels, Bell was renowned for his tough-tackling antics in either the midfield, full-back, or sweeper positions.

"Derek has always been a funny and loveable person who was always held in high regards by all of us at North Village," added Dill.

"He also served North Village in many capacities. Prior to Derek's untimely passing, he was representing North Village Rams in the Bermuda Football Association Commercial Division."

Bell was also an avid golfer and cricketer, having more recently represented North Village's cricket team in the Commercial Division.

"Derek's contribution to North Village has not just been on the field of play, but also more notably off," said Dill.

"He was also a member of our management team who shouldered the responsibilities of special events and both his daughter and son are still actively involved with our youth development programmes. He will be sadly missed.

"Derek was a former Premier Division sweeper at Village before he graduated to playing Commercial Division soccer for us."

Bell's former coach at Hotels, Robert Calderon also paid tribute to his former player.

"Obviously it's a shock and my condolences go out to his children and family," said Calderon.

"I coached Derek at Hotels when he was around 17 years of age and then at North Village.

"Derek was a great guy to be around. He was loyal - no question about it. And he was a lot of fun.

"He was also very committed to whatever it was we were doing and I know that he is going to be desperately missed by a lot of people.

"So on behalf of Bermuda Football Association executive, we would like to extend out dearest sympathies to his family and loved ones.

"Derek was a real good reader of the game and a tough tackler for his size and I also thought that he was one of the most underrated players that I had ever come into contact with.

"Derek was a very good player."

Rams team-mate Kenny Thompson, said Bell's death had come as a great shock.

"Derek and I have been very, very close friends from our time as opponents when he was playing with Hotels to our time as team-mates with the national team as well as at North Village," he said.

"It's a great shock to all of us and anyone who knew Derek always showed a tremendous amount of respect and love for him.

"He was just a great person to be around and I would like to send condolences to his entire family during this difficult period."

Commercial Cricket League spokesman Ivan Clifford said Bell's death was a huge loss to the league.

"He was a fast bowler who gave North Village tremendous service over the years, a great competitor who always believed in fair play, a real gentleman who never complained when decisions did not go his way. He always gave 100 per cent and would often bowl up to 20 overs in a game," he said.

"He was extremely popular with all the teams in the league.

"Week in, week out you could count on Derek getting three or four wickets, often more, and he and his new-ball partner Chris Caisey would always give opposing batsmen plenty to think about.

"I certainly enjoyed batting against Derek when I was playing in the league. He was also more than a useful lower-order batsman."