British man, 29, killed after luxury yachts collide on last night of Cannes Film Festival

A BRITISH man has died after two luxury yachts crashed on the final night of the Cannes Film Festival.

Maritime police and emergency services were called out to the incident on Saturday evening as the 88ft motor yacht Minx was struck by Vision, a boat of a similar size.

The 29-year-old was one of four crew members on board Minx and was pulling up the anchor at the front of the boat when the collision happened.

He died after going into cardiac arrest.

It is understood that Minx was at anchor and Vision was manoeuvring at the time, but a full investigation by police into the circumstances of the crash and the death has begun.

Authorities at the French Riviera port suggested they were examining whether Vision may have been speeding at the time. The investigation is being led by the Maritime Prosecutor of Marseilles, in conjunction with the Maritime Gendarmerie Research Brigade.

A statement released by the fire department said: “Fire services were called around 9pm for a collision at sea.

“On their arrival, the firefighters and the SMUR Cannes took care of a man in cardio-respiratory arrest.”

The man could not be resuscitated and died soon after.

Seventeen people who were on board the two yachts were taken to shore, with the captain and crew of both being interviewed by police.

The Minx can be chartered for around £44,000 a week and can sleep eight guests in four rooms, and there is also room for four crew members.

It operates under a British flag, and is currently for sale for £3.5million.

Vision sails under the flag of Monaco; an online catalogue appeared to show it was also for sale, listed for about £3.6 million.

Last night, a source at the broker firm said he had spoken to the vessel’s owner, but described the situation as “too raw” to discuss.

Both boats suffered damage: the nose of Minx was broken, while Vision had scratch marks down the starboard side.

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: “Our staff are assisting the family of a British man following his death in France, and are in contact with the local authorities.”