Seadogz Ribs crash trial: Video footage of fatal crash on Southampton Water, near Marchwood, shown to jury

VIDEO footage of the moment a speedboat crashed into a buoy off Marchwood, causing fatal injuries to a 15-year-old girl on board, has been shown to jurors.

The footage, which was shot by a woman on a passing ferry, was shown by prosecutors at Winchester Crown Court in the trial of Michael Lawrence and Michael Howley.

RIB skipper Lawrence (55) of Hartsgrove Avenue, Blackfield, denies gross negligence manslaughter of Emily Lewis, who died from injuries suffered in the crash on 22nd September 2020.

He also denies failing to maintain a proper lookout and failing to proceed at a safe speed.

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

The video footage shows the Seadogz RIB heading straight towards the buoy and colliding with it, flipping up the front of the vessel and sending two passengers overboard.

The woman filming the footage can be heard to say: "Oh my god – someone’s gone over.

"There are people in the water, they went right over the front – my God."

The footage also shows other vessels immediately coming to the RIB's aid.

Earlier in the trial, paramedic Megan Hunt, who was called to Ocean Village after the crash, told the court Lawrence was "shaken and emotional but compliant and friendly" while she was treating him for a leg injury.

The court heard Lawrence had taken a "safety first" attitude to covid by wearing face protection when visiting his parents and also wore protection on the RIB.

Miss Hunt said: "He (Lawrence) told me he was driving the boat and that the wind blew up in his face and blew the visor and face mask he was wearing up to obstruct his eyes.

"By the time he replaced it all, the buoy was too close and he had no time to turn the boat."

Jurors also heard Miss Hunt was "concerned" for Lawrence's mental health after the crash and recommended he arrange to see a counsellor.

Duncan Christie, a marine officer for Associated British Ports who was patrolling Southampton Water at the time of the crash, told the court Lawrence was "very distressed and in a panic" when he came to his aid.

The court heard Mr Christie and Lawrence have known each other since 1996 and had worked together for years at the RNLI.

Karim Khalil, representing Lawrence, asked Mr Christie if Lawrence was a "safe pair of hands" on a RIB to which Mr Christie replied "yes".

Mr Christie also agreed Lawrence was a "competent mariner" who would "not want to take risks" or who would "deliberately aim" at an object while skippering a vessel.

James Newton-Price, representing Howley, said Mr Christie had previously skippered a vessel for Seadogz Ribs.

The court heard Howley had insisted Mr Christie train with him several times before allowing him to take a vessel out alone, despite Mr Christie's years of maritime experience.

The trial continues.