British couple suffocate in superyacht disaster off Sicily
Couple died from suffocation in air bubble as superyacht sank
A bank executive and his wife, who perished when a superyacht sank off Sicily, died from suffocation in an air bubble as oxygen ran out, Italian media reported. Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy were among seven fatalities when the Bayesian superyacht sank last month. They were on the voyage with British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, celebrating his acquittal on fraud charges in the US in June, when a severe storm struck.
Mr Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, his lawyer Chris Morvillo, Mr Morvillo’s wife Neda, and the yacht’s chef Recaldo Thomas also lost their lives. Reports indicate that Mr and Mrs Bloomer suffocated due to oxygen depletion, not drowning, as their cabins filled with carbon dioxide. Post-mortems on the Bloomers and the Morvillos found no water in their lungs, suggesting suffocation.
Divers recovered the bodies on the left side of the cabins, indicating the victims sought the last pockets of air as the vessel tilted right. No injuries were found on the four victims examined so far. Angela Bacares, Mr Lynch’s wife, survived the incident along with 14 others. Post-mortems on Mr Lynch, his daughter, and Mr Thomas are scheduled for Friday, and the superyacht will be raised from the seabed as part of the investigation.
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"Six people still missing after Tech Billionaire Mike Lynch's superyacht sank on the coast on Sicily include the chairman of Morgan Stanley International, Jonathan Bloomer, and his wife…"#Italy pic.twitter.com/8KTGemFqLj
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Italian prosecutors have placed the yacht’s captain, New Zealander James Cutfield, and two Britons, engineer Tim Parker Eaton and crew member Matthew Griffiths, under investigation for suspected multiple manslaughter and culpable shipwreck. Mr Parker Eaton denied allegations that external doors were left open during the storm, allowing water to flood the engine room.
The three men have been allowed to leave Sicily as the investigation continues. Investigators aim to understand the events during the 16 minutes from the storm hitting at 3.50am to the yacht sinking in 60 seconds at 4.06am. Mr Cutfield told investigators that Griffiths woke him due to 20-knot winds, prompting immediate action and alerting everyone onboard. The yacht then tilted 45 degrees before lurching the other way, throwing them into the sea.
Mr Griffiths recounted climbing back on the yacht and attempting to rescue those they could, including a little girl and her mother.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Yahoo News UK reports that a banking boss and his wife suffocated to death in an air bubble on a sinking superyacht off Sicily’s coast, highlighting the tragic consequences of a maritime disaster.(read more)
- La Repubblica reports on the tragic sinking of a superyacht, where three victims died from asphyxiation as rescuers struggled to reach them in the waters near Sardinia.(read more)
- NYPST reports that four of the seven victims in the Bayesian superyacht wreck were trapped alive inside the ship’s cabins as it sank, subsequently dying of dry drowning.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
How did the banking boss and his wife die on the superyacht?
They suffocated in an air bubble as oxygen ran out.
Who were the victims of the superyacht sinking off Sicily?
Jonathan and Judy Bloomer, Mike Lynch, Hannah Lynch, Chris Morvillo, Neda Morvillo, and Recaldo Thomas.
What caused the superyacht to sink off the coast of Sicily?
A violent storm hit the yacht, causing it to sink.
Who survived the superyacht sinking?
Mike Lynch’s wife Angela Bacares and 14 other people survived.
Who is under investigation for the superyacht sinking?
The captain James Cutfield, engineer Tim Parker Eaton, and crew member Matthew Griffiths.
