Yachtswoman who tried to save crewmate’s life killed months later
An amateur yachtswoman who tried to save a fatally injured crewmate was killed just seven months later, an inquest was told yesterday.
Sarah Young tried to resuscitate Andrew Ashman after he stepped into a “danger zone” and was hit by a sail in high winds less than a week into the year-long Clipper Round the World Yacht Race aboard the Ichorcoal.
The 49-year-old, from Orpington, Kent, was the first sailor to die in the 19-year history of the race. But seven months later, in April last year, Ms Young, 40, died after being knocked overboard by a wave in the Pacific. Her body was recovered, but crewmates were unable to revive her.
Southwark coroner’s court heard Ms Young would have been called as a witness to give evidence at an inquest into Mr Ashman’s death. A pre-inquest hearing heard a rope snapped as he was “reefing” the main sail in 30mph winds and he was knocked unconscious.
A full inquest will take place in December.