Vestas crash death: co-skippers speak for first time on tragic Volvo Ocean Race collision that claimed fisherman’s life
Mark Towill and Charlie Enright offer their condolences; it is also revealed that the Vestas crew pulled the man out of the water but he died hours later
The co-skippers of the Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) boat involved in a fatal collision off the coast of Hong Kong last week have spoken for the first time since the accident – offering condolences to the families “and all those affected by this tragic situation”.
Americans Mark Towill and Charlie Eright, co-skippers of American-Danish boat Vestas 11th Hour Racing, released a statement on Wednesday about the incident that occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning just as Hong Kong boat Scallywag crossed the finish line at Kai Tak Terminal to win the fourth leg from Melbourne.
One fisherman died and nine others were rescued after a collision between the 72-foot (with bowsprit) VOR 65 and a mainland fishing boat about 30 miles from the finish line.
According to VOR Race Control, the Vestas crew helped in search and rescue operations and pulled one man out of the water. The man was taken to hospital by helicopter but died hours later. The other nine fishermen were rescued by a nearby commercial vessel, according to Race Control.