Cannes superyacht which crushed Briton to death ‘was travelling at four times the speed limit’

A Cannes superyacht was travelling around four times the speed limit when it crashed killing a British sailor on board another luxury vessel, prosecutors say.

The 29-year-old, who was a crew member on board the 26.5m-long Minx, died of a heart attack after suffering ‘severe trauma’ in the collision just off the coast of Ile Sainte-Marguerite in Cannes Bay.

The £3.7million London-registered Princess 88 yacht – carrying nine British guests – was ‘anchored and stationary’ when its bow was struck by the 27m yacht Vision at about 7.45pm on Saturday.

French prosecutors say Vision had been unable to avoid Minx because it was moving at about 20 knots (23mph). The speed limit in the area close to the shore is five knots.

The dead crewman was lifting the anchor of Minx and ‘despite all attempts at resuscitation’ the man was declared dead after a ‘cardiac arrest’. 

The experienced French captain of Vision has been questioned on suspicion of reckless manoeuvering.

A British man died from a cardiac arrest after suffering ‘severe trauma’ when the yacht he was working on collided with another in the bay of Cannes on the last day of the resort’s annual film festival

Police and ambulance services at a dock near after passengers had to be taken back to shore after the crew member of the Minx died in the collision

Police and ambulance services at a dock near after passengers had to be taken back to shore after the crew member of the Minx died in the collision

Witnesses have since described the horrifying aftermath of the collision.

According to The Times, one said on social media: ‘I saw the damage. There was still blood from the guy on the hull of the yacht, it was horrible. He was flattened.’

The captain of the Vision is French and currently in custody in Cannes. 

‘It was still light, and visibility was excellent, but this did not prevent the collision,’ said an investigating source.

The Minx, which was flying a British flag, had a party of nine UK nationals on board, with survivors all said to be ‘in a state of deep shock’, according to the source.

‘Medical stuff tried to resuscitate a 29-year-old British man but he was declared dead following a cardiac arrest,’ said an investigating source.

The Minx superyacht: The 29-year-old crew member was working onboard the ship and was believed to be moving the anchor at the time of the fatal crash

The Minx superyacht: The 29-year-old crew member was working onboard the ship and was believed to be moving the anchor at the time of the fatal crash

The Vision 3000 yacht which crashed into the side of the Minx just north of the Ile St Marguerite

The Vision 3000 yacht which crashed into the side of the Minx just north of the Ile St Marguerite

‘Passengers and other crew members witnessed the collision which was quite horrific’ the source added.

The agents for Minx said witnesses on board the vessel had seen a yacht ‘approaching… at high speed’.

‘Minx was anchored and stationary in a safe anchorage zone… Witnesses on board saw a yacht approaching at high speed. 

‘As a result of the impact on the stationary Minx our crew member tragically died.’

French prosecutors announced yesterday that they would investigate the collision, which happened on the last night of the resort’s annual film festival.

Cannes Bay is full of yachts during the festival, and everything is done to try and regulate speeds. 

‘A trauma unit was set up for those who saw what happened. Both yachts were very badly damaged on their bows, but were able to sail back to port afterwards. There was no leakage of fuel.’

The victim was described as an ‘experienced member of the crew on the Minx’, which is rented out for events such as the Cannes Film Festival for €55,000 (£48,000) a week, excluding food, alcohol, tips and fuel.

Saturday was the last day of this year’s show, when stars from all over the world, including Hollywood, descend on Cannes for a week or film releases, prizes and parties.

Saturday was the last day of this year’s show, when stars from all over the world, including Hollywood, descend on Cannes for a week or film releases, prizes and parties.

Both vessels are marketed as Superyachts, and have crews of 15.

The Minx is five years old and described as being an ‘ideal charter yacht for socialising and entertaining with family and friends.’ 

The Vision, which was built in 2011, had recently arrived in Cannes from Monaco.

‘He was a crew member on the Minx, a yacht that was at anchor in the Cannes bay area. The other yacht involved was the Vision, which was manoeuvring at the time.’

It is not known exactly how the unidentified victim came to die, said the source, who added that 17 passengers on both yachts were ‘soon evacuated to the mainland’.

An investigation has now been started by the Maritime Prosecutor of Marseilles, in conjunction with the Maritime Gendarmerie Research Brigade

An investigation has now been started by the Maritime Prosecutor of Marseilles, in conjunction with the Maritime Gendarmerie Research Brigade

The captains and other crew members of the Minx and Vision were meanwhile being interviewed at length.

An investigation has now been started by the Maritime Prosecutor of Marseilles, in conjunction with the Maritime Gendarmerie Research Brigade.

The boats were just north of the Ile St Marguerite – a Mediterranean island just off Cannes which is full of party yachts at the weekend, especially during the film festival.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: ‘Our staff are assisting the family of a British man following his death in France, and are in contact with the local authorities.’ 

Saturday was the last day of this year’s show, when stars from all over the world, including Hollywood, descend on Cannes for a week or film releases, prizes and parties.

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk