Inquests of 4 who died in Sicily yacht storm open in Suffolk

Camera crews and multiple journalists from the national press descended on Suffolk Coroners' Court in Ipswich on Friday morning, preparing for the opening of the inquests of Mike and Hannah Lynch, and Jonathan and Judy Bloomer.

Applications to open the four inquests were read to the court by Detective Superintendent Michael Brown of Suffolk police.

The time of death for each of the deceased, who he described as having been “lost at sea”, was given as 5am on August 19.

Seven people died after the Bayesian, a superyacht moored 0.8 nautical miles off the coast of Porticello, sank in a freak storm in the early hours of Monday, August 19.

The violent storm caused waterspouts, or rotating columns of air and mist, to appear over the sea.

Searches continued in the days to come, until each of the missing people had been accounted for. Of the 22 passengers on board, 10 guests and 12 members of crew, 15 managed to escape.

The court heard that a criminal investigation into the incident is ongoing in Italy, as is an inquiry by the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch.

Suffolk-based technology tycoon Dr Lynch, who founded founded software giant Autonomy in 1996, and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah were amongst those who died. Their bodies were recovered to shore on August 22 and August 23 respectively.

Suffolk tech tycoon Mike Lynch pictured with his daughter Hannah. (Image: Family Handout/PA Wire)

At the time of the incident, Mike Lynch was celebrating his acquittal on fraud charges in the United States. (Image: PA Wire)

The businessman, 59, who lived near Wickham Market, was celebrating his acquittal on fraud charges in the United States in June.

Dr Lynch is survived by his wife, Angela Bacares, who survived the incident, and their 21-year-old daughter.

Hannah Lynch was staying on the luxury yacht with her parents. Her mother survived the incident. (Image: PA Wire) Jonathan and Judy Bloomer were also on the yacht, and lost their lives. Their bodies were recovered to shore on August 21.

Mr Bloomer was chair of Hiscox insurance group and Morgan Stanley International. Mrs Bloomer was a former psychotherapist and has been described as a "women's health champion".

According to court documents, the couple were residing at Sevenoaks at the time of their death.

Jonathan Bloomer, pictured with his wife Judy. (Image: PA Wire)

For Dr Lynch, a provisional cause of death was given as drowning. For the remaining three, a cause of death is still under investigation.

Det Supt Brown explained to the court that this is not unusual, and that it is standard for further tests to be required to establish a cause of death at this stage.

The inquests for all four were opened and adjourned until April 15 next year.

Senior Coroner for Suffolk Nigel Parsley clarified that this date is subject to ongoing investigations.

“We’re very much in the hands of the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch, but more importantly, of the Italian authorities,” he said.

The inquests into the deaths opened the morning after an ITV documentary into the tragedy, The Sinking of a Superyacht: How Safe is Your Voyage?, aired.