Teenage boy on sailing trip killed by speedboat in Pacific

A PRIVATE school pupil died after being struck by a speedboat in the Pacific Ocean during a round-the-world sailing trip with his family.

Eddie Jarman was in waters off the coast of Tahiti, the largest island in French Polynesia, checking the anchor of his family’s yacht when he was hit by a boat.

Relatives desperately tried to save the 14-year-old but his injuries proved fatal. His body has since been returned to the UK ahead of plans for a burial at the family’s local church in West Hoathly, Sussex.

His parents, Harry Jarman, a visual effects artist, and Barbara Genda, a London-based furniture maker, began sailing the world in 2018 with their son, and daughter Amelie, after selling their Sussex home to buy a cruising yacht.

The family had journeyed from Lanzarote to the Caribbean early last year before cruising the Atlantic through Aruba, Colombia and Panama. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the last nine months have been spent in French Polynesia where Eddie died on Aug 9.

The teenager, who was a pupil at Cumnor House, Danehill, was due to start a scholarship in January at Hurstpierpoint College, West Sussex.

In a statement, the family said: “Eddie had an amazing zest for life, a lovely boy and so bright with talent and kindness, who loved adventure and the sea.

“We were blessed with his musical talent, he played expertly the piano, violin and a double bass, never happier than listening to his favourite jazz and bossa nova tracks.

“Mature well over his 14 years, he has made an indelible mark on everyone he has met.”

The family announced plans to establish a charity in their son’s name to help aspiring musicians. A campaign to raise £100,000 to set up the Eddie Jarman Young Musicians Charity has so far generated more than £33,000.