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Bayesian yacht sinking latest: Mike Lynch cause of death revealed at inquest as daughter’s under investigation

The deaths of Dr Lynch’s friends Jonathan and Judith Bloomer are also under investigation

Tara Cobham
Friday 04 October 2024 06:03
Captain of neighbouring ship describes moment Bayesian sank

British tech tycoon Mike Lynch’s provisional cause of death has been given as drowning, while the results of his 18-year-old daughter Hannah’s post-mortem remains “under investigation”.

The inquests into the deaths of Dr Lynch, his daughter and two friends has opened this morning, over a month after their tragic deaths when the tycoon’s superyacht Bayesian sank on 19 August.

In a brief hearing, Suffolk Coroner’s Court heard that Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer, 70, and his 71-year-old wife Judy Bloomer’s causes of death were also still being investigated.

The inquests were adjourned until 15 April for further information to be provided.

They were among seven people who died in the freak storm off the coast of the Italian island, with 15 other crew members and guests rescued.

In a new ITV documentary, a photograph of the Bayesian, which was taken by a passenger onboard a neighbouring yacht 14 minutes before the disaster, was revealed.

It appears to show a door in the superyacht’s hull was closed, contradicting allegations crew mistakenly left it open and enabled water to flood the 56-metre yacht.

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Watch: Captain of neighbouring ship describes moment Bayesian sank

Captain of neighbouring ship describes moment Bayesian sank
Tara Cobham4 October 2024 00:00
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Watch: Moment Bayesian yacht launched distress signal caught on CCTV

Moment Bayesian yacht launched distress signal caught on CCTV

This is the moment a red flare distress signal was launched from the fateful Bayesian superyacht. British technology tycoon Mike Lynch, 59, died in the freak storm off the coast of the Italian island, along with his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, four other passengers and the vessel’s chef. The footage was shown in a new ITV documentary, The Sinking of a Superyacht: How Safe is Your Voyage, which aired on Thursday (3 October). It comes ahead of the inquests into the deaths of those who lost their lives in the 19 August tragedy. Inquests into the deaths of Dr Lynch, Hannah, Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer, 70, and his 71-year-old wife Judy Bloomer are set to open at Suffolk Coroner’s Court on Friday morning.

Tara Cobham3 October 2024 23:00
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Rescue diver discloses why Hannah Lynch’s body was found last

A rescue diver has disclosed the reason why Hannah Lynch’s body was the last to be found.

Speaking on a new ITV documentary, he said: “Because the girl was small, petite, her body was hidden behind mattresses, so it took longer to find her.”

He said the discovery of the 18-year-old’s body was a particularly devastating moment for those involved in the search.

Hannah Lynch, aged 18, was set to go to Oxford University following the trip on the luxury yacht Bayesian
Hannah Lynch, aged 18, was set to go to Oxford University following the trip on the luxury yacht Bayesian (Family Handout/PA Wire)
Tara Cobham3 October 2024 22:04
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Bayesian drifted 400 metres when freak storm struck, reveals tracking data

The Bayesian drifted as far as 400 metres when the freak storm struck the superyacht off the coast off Sicily.

Tracking data from the Italian coastguard showed the vessel drifted 400 metres in the early hours of 19 August.

Just 16 minutes after the storm hit, the boat sank, accroding to a new ITV documentary on the tragedy.

Tara Cobham3 October 2024 21:58
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‘It was so full of water that it was difficult to breathe’: Captain of nearby boat tells of fatal storm

The captain of a ship near the Bayesian has described the fatal storm in which the superyacht sank as “so full of water that it was difficult to breathe”.

Karsten Borner, captain of the Sir Robert Baden Powell, has been recounting the ordeal in a new ITV documentary airing tonight.

Tara Cobham3 October 2024 21:43
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Captain of ship near Bayesian describes terrifying moment boat sunk

The captain of a ship near the Bayesian has described the terrifying moment he believes he saw the superyacht sink in Sicily.

In a new ITV documentary airing tonight, Karsten Borner, captain of the Sir Robert Baden Powell, said: “In the lightning, I saw a big, black triangle – and this might have been the moment when the ship sank ... We were looking at the radars and she was gone.”

The programme also recounted how Dr Lynch’s wife Angela Bacares described her ordeal as “terrifying” to local media after managing to survive the sinking.

Tara Cobham3 October 2024 21:31
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New documentary on Bayesian disaster set to begin on ITV

A new ITV documentary on the tragic sinking of the Bayesian superyacht is set to begin.

The Sinking of a Superyacht — How Safe Is Your Voyage? is expected to explore the events leading up to the disaster as well as its aftermath.

Airing on the channel at 9pm, the programme is also due to look at the implications the fatal incident will have for similar voyages in the future.

Tara Cobham3 October 2024 21:00
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Recap: Bodies of Mike Lynch and daughter Hannah flown back to families

The bodies of those who died after the billionaire Mike Lynch’s Bayesian superyacht sunk off the coast of Sicily were flown back to their families by private jet in September.

Italian publication Giornale di Sicilia reported post-mortem examinations were completed at a Palermo hospital and the bodies have now been returned.

Fifteen of the 22 passengers and crew survived the incident by clambering onto an inflatable liferaft.

My colleague Tom Watling reported at the time:

Bodies of Mike Lynch and daughter flown back to UK after Bayesian tragedy

Italian media reports the bodies have been returned to their families via private jet

Tara Cobham3 October 2024 20:00
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New ITV documentary on tragic sinking of Bayesian superyacht set to be broadcast tonight

A new ITV documentary on the tragic sinking of the Bayesian superyacht is set to be broadcast tonight.

The Sinking of a Superyacht — How Safe Is Your Voyage? will air on the channel at 9pm.

Tara Cobham3 October 2024 18:56
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Inquests to open into deaths of Mike Lynch, daughter Hannah and two others

The inquests into the deaths of British technology tycoon Mike Lynch, 59, and his 18-year-old daughter are set to open on Friday morning.

Inquests into the deaths of Morgan Stanley International bank chairman Jonathan Bloomer, 70, and his 71-year-old wife Judy Bloomer are also due to open at Suffolk Coroner’s Court.

Seven people died on 19 August after the Bayesian superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily.

The inquests into the deaths of British technology tycoon Mike Lynch, 59, and his 18-year-old daughter are set to open on Friday morning
The inquests into the deaths of British technology tycoon Mike Lynch, 59, and his 18-year-old daughter are set to open on Friday morning (Tancredi)
Tara Cobham3 October 2024 18:53

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