2023-08-04 19:18:34
The president of the Bloomsbury USA publishing house was killed in front of her husband and two young children when their boat rammed a sailboat off the coast of Italy, reports the New York Post.
Adrienne Vaughan, 44, president of the society best known for the ‘Harry Potter’ books, was thrown on impact into the water. She landed between the hulls of the two ships and was fatally struck by their boat’s propeller, according to local media.
Facebook screenshot: Mike White
Heartbreaking video filmed by a guest at a wedding party on the sailboat shows revelers in bathing suits dancing as the tragic event unfolds.
Vaughan’s husband, Mike White, was also injured. He was taken to a hospital in Castiglione di Ravello, where he underwent surgery on his left shoulder, according to local reports.
Facebook screenshot: Mike White
Their children – Leanna, 14, and Mason, 11 – were not physically injured, but were treated for shock, according to the New York Post.
Facebook screenshot: Mike White
The driver of the small boat, identified as a 30-year-old man, was also hospitalized with rib and pelvic injuries. He reportedly failed toxicology tests following the crash, according to Italian news agency ANSA.
Vaughan and his family had chartered the 29ft speedboat with a skipper and were visiting the Furore Fjord off the Amalfi Coast near Naples on Thursday evening when the vessel made an unexpected 180 degree turn and slammed into the sailboat 130 feet, local media said.
Vaughan was rescued from the water and taken to land, where first responders attempted to save her life.
A medical helicopter was then called to the scene to transport her to a hospital, but she was pronounced dead before arriving, according to local reports.
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