Emily Lewis: Skipper 'took selfie' before speedboat crash

Highly experienced and qualified Michael Lawrence is accused of recklessly taking risks by performing daring stunts before he ploughed into the huge metal buoy at 36.6kts (42.2mph).

The devastating smash threw passengers overboard, left them with broken bones, and tragically killed 15-year-old Emily Lewis as her chest was 'crushed' against a metal handle.

Live updates as speedboat crash trial gets underway

Lawrence, 55, 'wasn’t paying attention and was distracted' or 'miscalculated' a turn during the 'extremely dangerous' ride and left concerned passengers 'uncomfortable'.

The skipper - apparently nicknamed 'Mr Safe' - earlier took a selfie on board the high-powered speedboat on Southampton Water, when he had 11 passengers.

He initially blamed the accident on his Covid face mask being blown up by the wind and covering his eyes - but just days later 'changed his story' and said he had a momentary loss of vision.

Seadogz Rib Charter Ltd owner Michael Howley, 52, is also on trial facing a safety charge.

The horror smash happened on Southampton Water around 10am on August 22 in 2020, as families booked the excursion while on summer holidays.

Emily, who was on board the boat with her mother Nikki, father Simon and older sister Amy, then 18, was among 11 people taken to hospital following the crash.

The court heard that after the crash Emily was saying she could not breathe, was scared and her lips were blue but that Lawrence paced up and down the boat 'not appearing to assist anyone and stepping over those in his way'.

The 'beautiful' schoolgirl, from Park Gate, near Southampton, tragically died at Southampton General Hospital later that day from catastrophic chest injuries.

Opening the manslaughter trial at Winchester Crown Court, today, prosecutor Christine Agnew KC said Lawrence's behaviour was 'truly, exceptionally bad and grossly negligent'.

His safety briefing before was described as 'wishy-washy', and she told how Mr and Mrs Lewis 'decided to treat' their daughters to a RIB ride.

Ms Agnew KC told jurors: "This was to be a high thrills ride.

"Tragically it was both a high thrills and ultimately an extremely dangerous ride which ended with the death of Emily.

"She died from internal injuries she sustained by being crushed against the metal handle immediately in front of her when the boat crashed head on into a buoy... which Michael Lawrence appears not to have seen.

"Perhaps because he wasn’t paying attention and was distracted, or because he was planning to take a sharp turn around it and because he wasn’t paying close enough attention, he miscalculated the turn.

"In either event, the prosecution say his actions that day fell far below those of a competent skipper."

Two other passengers ended up in the water and others were seriously injured.

Ms Agnew KC continued: "Lawrence was heard to say on a number of occasions both on the day and later that the face mask he had been wearing had blown up and covered his eyes resulting in his temporary blindness."

Ms Agnew KC said Lawrence changed his account in the following days when social media footage emerged.

She said: "Perhaps he began to appreciate that his explanation about the mask did not provide a credible explanation for why he drove straight at the buoy for as long as he did - at least 10 seconds.

"By the time he was questioned in the days that followed by police officers about what had happened he had changed his story; he claimed he had had some sort of black-out which had made him lose his sight.

"Lawrence was not an inexperienced seaman – quite the opposite. He was a hugely experienced mariner – well qualified and well respected.

"Even extremely experienced people make extremely grave mistakes, they become distracted, they become complacent, they take for granted important aspects and features which others who are less experienced may take into consideration.

"But the Crown say that Lawrence’s behaviour that day went further than that.

"The prosecution’s case is that despite his experience, or maybe even because of it he took risks he should not have done and failed to observe basic safe practice whilst skippering the RIB when he alone was responsible for the safety of and owed a duty of care to the 11 other people on board.

"It is the Crown’s case that the actions of Lawrence that August afternoon were truly exceptionally bad, grossly negligent and caused the death of Emily."

Of Howley, Ms Agnew KC said: "Howley, by failing to ensure that his RIB was operated in a safe manner, i.e. by not having in place policies and procedures which would adequately protect the passengers, is also guilty of a albeit less serious offence."

The 60 minute RIB ride was advertised as 'adrenaline-fuelled' and would involve 'speed' and 'some of the signature tight turns, jumps and wake rides that Seadogz have become known for'.

Lawrence held qualifications including an advanced powerboat course, an advanced powerboat instructor course, and a yachtmaster course.

Emily's mother felt the briefing carried out by Lawrence was 'wishy-washy', one of his co-worker's said it was 'quick', and Lawrence said 'we will take it easy today' in light of the sea conditions, it was heard.

On the ride, Emily was placed in the middle due to her age and being the smallest on board. Her feet could not touch the floor and there were no seatbelts.

The Lewis' felt Lawrence 'took corners really sharply and they felt uncomfortable', it was heard.

He reached speeds of up to 47.8 knots (55mph) during the thrill ride, performing figure of eight turns around buoys.

The speed limit on the water had expired, but Lawrence and Howley thought it was 40 knots.

Other skippers felt he came too close to buoys, it was heard.

Ms Agnew KC said the boat had driven in the wake of a car ferry five times before heading straight towards the buoy, which was 4.69 metres and a 'large green structure'.

Ms Agnew KC said: "The distance between [the RIB and buoy] was 277 metres. Lawrence accelerated and headed straight in the direction of the buoy.

"From the buoy coming into sight there were 14 seconds until impact at 10.11. The last recorded speed was 36.6 knots.

"The buoy is a large green structure... perhaps not surprisingly, the witnesses expected the RIB to turn but some became worried when it was not doing so.

"Lawrence's phone records show he called Howley four times... he was heard to be telling him 'hey mate, I've had an accident, it's a really bad one, I've had a bad one'.

"Emily was saying she could not breathe, was scared and her lips were blue.

"Amy, Nicola and Simon Lewis all recall Mr Lawrence walking up and down the boat not appearing to assist anyone and stepping over those in his way."

It was heard "Emily was scared and distressed because she could not see."

The prosecutor said Emily suffered brain damage and her family was told she was 'unlikely to survive' before they made the 'unspeakably hard decision to turn off her life support machine'.

Medical evidence showed her injuries were 'unsurvivable'.

In the aftermath of the incident, Lawrence told several people - including wife Karen - his mask was blown over his eyes.

However, he later gave conflicting accounts and retracted that, the jury was told.

He went on to say he suffered a momentary loss of vision - comparing it to 'sneezing while driving a car' - but again gave conflicting accounts of that.

He also claimed he was only travelling 25 knots.

Lawrence, of Blackfield in the New Forest, denies manslaughter by gross negligence, failure to maintain a proper lookout as master of the boat, and failing to proceed at a safe speed while operating the boat.

Howley, of Hordle, New Forest, denies 'failing to take all reasonable steps to secure the boat operated in a safe manner'.

The four week trial continues.

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