An investigation has been opened into the death of a female journalist who was killed after she jumped from a moving speedboat and got caught in its propeller at Cannes Yachting Festival on Saturday (September 12).
The woman, who has been identified in local press as a 30-year-old Serbian journalist, was on board a 12 metre RIB with two other people when the incident happened at approximately 7pm. According to an Italian publication, the passengers were conducting a sea trial of a Cantieri Magazzù rib.
Reports have suggested that the two other passengers, who have been identified as a Serbian journalist and the Italian brand owner of the boat, were thrown overboard when the boat collided with a wave. According to Nice Matin the woman panicked and jumped from the boat as it began to look like it might flip over. Préfet Maritime has reported that she died instantly after being caught in the boat’s propellers. The two other passengers were taken to hospital and treated for shock but were unharmed.
There have been unsubstantiated reports that the boat’s kill cord, which should have cut the engine when the driver was thrown overboard, was not in use.
Boat International have been unable to reach Cantieri Magazzù for a comment at this time.
The investigation will now try and determine the exact cause of the incident. It is believed that weather conditions, human error and excessive speeds are all being considered as potential factors.