Two men have been tried over the speedboat crash that killed a 15-year-old girl in 2020.
Emily Lewis died of catastrophic injuries after the boat hit a five-tonne buoy in the Solent.
Michael Lawrence, 54, who was driving the boat, and Michael Howley, 51, owner of Seadogz, the company that organized the boat trip, both appeared for a preliminary hearing at Southampton Magistrates’ Court.
Lawrence, of Hartsgrove Avenue, Blackfield, Southampton, has pleaded not guilty to the grossly negligent manslaughter of Emily.
Howley, of Stopples Lane, Hordle, Hampshire, pleaded not guilty to the charge of owning the RIB and failing to take all reasonable steps to ensure the boat was used in a safe manner.
Michael Howley (pictured outside court today) has been accused of ‘failing to take all reasonable steps to secure the boat which was operated in a safe manner’ during the voyage which led to the death of Emily Lewis (right)
Emily, who was on board with her mother Nikki, father Simon and older sister Amy, 19, was among 11 people taken to hospital.
The schoolgirl, from Park Gate, near Southampton, Hants, died tragically at Southampton General Hospital later that day from her chest injuries. His mother and sister each reportedly suffered a broken arm.
He was also charged with the alternative of failing to take reasonable steps as a director of the company. He gave no plea, but it was indicated that he would plead not guilty to all charges.
Sarah Barnard, representing Lawrence, of Blackfield, Hants, said the defense case would be that it was an ‘unfortunate accident’ and raised issues of ‘fixed-point blindness’.
Howley, 51, from Hordle in Hampshire’s New Forest, will stand trial alongside Lawrence at Winchester Crown Court if he formally pleads not guilty.
Damage to the Seadogz RIB as the boat was held above water after the 2020 crash
According to TripAdvisor, Southampton-based Seadogz had offered “the Solent’s most exhilarating adventures”, including “60- or 90-minute extreme coast experiences, treasure hunts, corporate team building events and bachelor parties and bachelor parties”.
All but one of the passengers suffered injuries including broken limbs, fractured vertebrae, dislocations and a punctured lung. Two were thrown overboard from the Seadogz boat.
Emily, seated in a middle bench seat, suffered a fatal and catastrophic chest injury in the tragedy around 10 a.m. on August 22, 2020, as families booked the excursion during the summer school holidays.
The MAIB’s interim report states that the skipper of Seadogz “collided with Netley’s northwest buoy because… [he] did not see the fixed navigation mark in time to take evasive action.
Footage showing the gruesome moment the boat rammed the huge buoy, which was visible 15ft above the water, has been released by the MAIB
It is understood that at the time the vessel was cruising at a speed of 38.4 knots (44.2 mph).
The report stated: “The force of Seadogz’s frontal impact knocked the buoy into a nearly horizontal position and threw the bow of the RIB upwards.
“The impact and sudden deceleration forces caused all passengers on board to be thrown violently forward from their seats.”
It described the skipper as “a highly qualified and experienced RIB driver, he had local knowledge of Southampton Water and had worked for Seadogz Rib Charter Ltd on an ad hoc basis for over 8 years”.
speedboat when it crashed, the teenager was conscious when brought ashore and later died in hospital from her injuries.” class=”blkBorder img-share” style=”max-width:100%” />
Emily’s family were on board the speedboat when it crashed, the teenager was conscious when brought ashore and later died in hospital from her injuries.
A court date has been set for March 2 this year, when a trial date could be set.
An inquest into Emily’s death heard she was taken to Southampton General Hospital where she died despite attempts to save her life.
The inquest hearing was told Emily, who died of an upper abdominal injury, was being accompanied to hospital by her father, Simon Lewis, from the Park Gate area of Southampton.
It is understood Emily’s father, mother Nikki and 19-year-old sister Amy were also on the boat, and her mother and sister suffered broken arms.
The family said in a statement released earlier by Hampshire Police: “We are all in shock that our beautiful daughter and sister are no longer with us, and words simply do not seem available to express our deep sense of loss. .”
Stuart Parkes, principal of the Brookfield School where Emily was a pupil, described her as “kind, compassionate” and a “brilliant and conscientious pupil”.
