British mother survives Sicily yacht sinking, baby held above waves
Mother saves baby as Sicily yacht sinks; 1 dead, 6 still missing
An Italian doctor reported that the British mother, who held her baby daughter above the waves as their yacht sank near Sicily, was sleeping on deck when the storm hit. Charlotte Golunski was one of 22 people aboard the Bayesian when a tornado struck on Monday morning. One person died, and six remain missing. Golunski, 35, survived along with 14 others, and shared with Italian newspaper la Repubblica she used all her strength to keep her daughter Sofia afloat.
Dr Domenico Cipolla, head of paediatric care at Di Cristina Children’s Hospital in Palermo, relayed to Sky News that Golunski was separated from her partner during the storm. She had been sleeping on deck with her child while her husband was in another part of the boat. Golunski felt the boat’s oscillations, and within minutes found herself in the water. She momentarily lost her grip on her child but managed to catch her again.
Golunski, her partner James Emsley, and their daughter were rescued with only minor bruises. Despite their survival, Golunski expressed profound sadness for those still missing. Emsley received treatment at a different hospital, but when reunited, they embraced and grieved for the others left behind.
Dr Cipolla mentioned Sofia was crying and disoriented, while Golunski was very worried about her husband and the other missing people. She frequently inquired about their status, deeply concerned for their fate.
As the critical 24-hour search period continues, divers face challenges due to the yacht’s narrow interior, limiting each dive to just 10 minutes. The ship’s chef, Canadian-Antiguan Recaldo Thomas, was confirmed dead.
Other Perspective
- Sky News reports that Charlotte Golunski, a British mother, survived the sinking of a superyacht by holding her baby daughter above the waves during the storm.(read more)
- Sky News reports on the sinking of a superyacht off Sicily, where a tornado struck, killing one and leaving six missing, including tech tycoon Mike Lynch.(read more)
- People.com reports on Charlotte Golunski, a mother who saved her 1-year-old daughter Sophie from drowning in the yacht sinking, describing her harrowing experience and the miraculous rescue.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who survived the yacht sinking near Sicily?
Charlotte Golunski, her daughter Sofia, and 13 others survived.
What did Charlotte Golunski do during the storm?
She held her daughter above the waves to keep her afloat.
Who is confirmed dead from the yacht incident?
The ship’s chef, Canadian-Antiguan Recaldo Thomas.
How did Charlotte Golunski describe the storm’s onset?
She said it became dark instantly and she found herself in the water within minutes.
What is the current status of the search for missing people?
The search is in a ‘critical’ 24-hour period with divers limited to 10-minute swims.
