U.S. publishing executive Adrienne Vaughan tragically lost her life in a boating accident off Italy’s Amalfi Coast, as confirmed by her company on Friday. At the age of 45, Vaughan served as the president of Bloomsbury Publishing Inc., known for being the publisher of the beloved Harry Potter series. The association’s board chair, Julia Reidhead, and its president and CEO, Maria A. Pallante, paid tribute to Vaughan’s remarkable leadership skills, infectious passion, and unwavering dedication to authors and readers. Above all, they emphasized her exceptional qualities as a human being, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside her.
The incident took place when the motorboat rented by Vaughan and her family collided with a sailboat while they were enjoying a vacation in this renowned tourist destination. According to witnesses, the collision caused Vaughan to be thrown into the water where she tragically suffered multiple injuries from the motorboat’s propeller.
The New York Post shared a video of the incident, capturing the moment when guests aboard the sailboat were partying just as the speedboat crashed into them. The shocking impact prompted one woman to inquire about what had happened. A frantic man on the sailboat responded, before hurriedly running across the deck. Subsequently, another man peered over the edge, exclaiming “Jesus Christ.” In the midst of this chaos, one guest rightfully expressed the urgency of helping Vaughan.
Pietro Iuzzolino, a barman working aboard the sailboat, provided further details to Italian newspaper Corriere del Mezzogiorno. He stated that both the sailboat and the motorboat were initially moving in the same direction when suddenly the motorboat drastically changed its course, leading to the devastating collision. Iuzzolino vividly recounted seeing Vaughan in the water, being supported by her husband and children. Her injuries were severe, with one arm missing and her neck appearing pale and devoid of blood flow.
Although Vaughan was promptly rescued from the water and taken to a nearby dock, she tragically passed away before a helicopter ambulance could arrive. The Italian coast guard office in Amalfi launched an investigation into the crash. Despite attempts to contact the office, no response has been received, and an email inquiry to the Coast Guard also went unanswered.
Reports indicate that Vaughan’s husband was admitted to the hospital due to a shoulder injury, while their two young children were unharmed. Fortunately, no one aboard the sailboat, which was carrying more than 80 U.S. and German tourists along with its crew, sustained any injuries.
According to the Italian news agency ANSA, a blood test conducted on the motorboat’s skipper produced positive results for substance use, without specifying whether it was alcohol or drugs. Iuzzolino, the barman aboard the sailboat, noted that the skipper had been vomiting, leading them to believe he was intoxicated. The skipper, approximately 30 years old and of Italian nationality, suffered a broken pelvis and ribs.
The investigation into the incident is being overseen by prosecutors in the southern port city of Salerno, yet attempts to reach the courthouse have been unsuccessful. The motorboat involved in the crash was en route to Positano, one of the most renowned destinations along the Amalfi Coast, at the time of the accident.
In memory of Adrienne Vaughan, her tragic passing serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we have.
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