Saturday, off Cap Lardier, while she was swimming not far from the yacht anchored within sight of this protected Var coast, Isabelle Murray was hit head-on by another boat which was moving within this perimeter.
Sporty, passionate about the sea, she was the wife of Jean-Jacques Murray, at the head of the Andrews Sykes group since the disappearance at 103 years old last June, of the businessman of French origin Tony Murray, decorated for his acts of bravery during World War II. He was buried in the marine cemetery of Saint-Tropez, the tributes returning to his extraordinary journey and the sumptuous gypsy parties which took place every summer in his property of Las Brisas.
The boat seized by investigators
The fatal accident occurred beyond the 300 meter limit. The two passengers on the boat involved tried to help the victim, but it was already too late. It was the Cavalaire SNSM rescuers who were the first in the area to see the dramatic outcome.
On board the boat, rented at the port of Cavalaire, the pilot and his wife. In good standing. The alcohol check and drug screen were negative.
The boat of about 8 meters was seized by investigators from the Issambres nautical brigade who will have to establish the exact circumstances of this terrible collision, under the authority of the Marseille maritime prosecutor’s office.
The Marseille maritime court has opened a preliminary investigation into flagrante delicto on the counts of non-compliance with the rules of the COLREG convention or negligence of the captain, shift manager or pilot having resulted in death. Investigations are ongoing.
The autopsy of the victim, aged 58, will take place in the coming days.
