Seadogz Ribs skipper Michael Lawrence tearfully describes fatal crash on Southampton Water that killed teenager Emily Lewis

A NEW Forest RIB skipper tearfully described helping a teenage girl who suffered fatal injuries when he crashed into a buoy at high speed on Southampton Water.

Michael Lawrence (55) told trial jurors at Winchester Crown Court how he took passengers out with the Seadogz Ribs company on 22nd September 2020 for a thrill ride including "sharp turns", figures of eight and riding in the wake of ferries.

Among the passengers and riding with her family was 15-year-old Emily Lewis from Park Gate, Southampton, who suffered fatal injuries in the crash when her chest was crushed by a metal handrail.

Answering questions from defence barrister Karim Khalil about the moments prior to the collision, Lawrence, a former lifeboatman, said: "I came out of a turn and straightened the boat up.

"I felt a little bit maybe light-headed. I don't know how to describe it, but then I lost everything – I lost my vision.

"It came back. In my view from the time I lost my vision to the time it came back was a split second."

He continued: "As my vision cleared the buoy was right in front of us – I don't know where it came from. As soon as I saw it my first thought was the bow was high."

Lawrence said at the moment of the crash he was wearing a visor that was not scratched or scuffed, but agreed that it appeared to be scratched in a photo that was presented to the jury.

He also said his knee was dislocated and fractured in the collision, adding: "I knew people had gone over the side, which I thought was odd.

"I thought, 'I've got to sort something out', so I grabbed my knee and pushed it back over. I stood up and I think moved forward.

"I saw people everywhere. I saw people in the water and my first thought was I had to get back over there."

The court heard another RIB and a boat quickly arrived at the scene and started taking injured passengers on board, with the other RIB skipper telling Lawrence they would immediately call the coastguard.

Lawrence tearfully told the court: "I said Emily wasn't well and the RIB had come back alongside and I said, 'I think you should get her off'.

"The other skipper said I was taking on water which I hadn't realised.

"I remember picking Emily up. I think I said, 'Her family would like to go with her.'"

Jurors have heard how Emily died later at Southampton General Hospital with her father, mother and older sister alongside her.

Lawrence said prior to the crash he had given passengers two safety briefings; one at the dockside and one on the vessel before setting off.

He said he also checked the boat's condition before heading out and that he would never drive the boat in a way that would endanger his passengers or himself.

Lawrence, of Hartsgrove Avenue, Blackfield, denies charges of gross negligence manslaughter of Emily Lewis, failing to maintain a proper lookout and failing to proceed at a safe speed.

Fellow accused boat owner Michael Howley (51), of Stopples Lane, Hordle, denies a charge of failing to take all reasonable steps to ensure the vessel was operated safely.

The trial continues.