A speedboat driver has been acquitted of manslaughter after the death of 15-year-old Emily Lewis following a crash on Southampton Water in 2020.
But Michael Lawrence, 55, was found guilty by a jury at Winchester Crown Court of failing to maintain a proper lookout and failing to maintain a safe speed relating to the teenager's death.
Emily suffered fatal injuries after the rigid inflatable boat collided with a 4.5m high buoy at 36.6 knots in Southampton Water on 22 August 2020.There is not yet a verdict in relation to Michael Howley, 52, the owner of the company which operated the boat trip, who was charged with not operating the boat safely.
Prosecuting, Christine Agnew KC told the trial how Emily's parents, Simon and Nikki, had made the decision to take her and sister Amy, 18, for a"high thrills" speedboat ride The rib was travelling at speeds of 47.8 knots , which is higher than the limit of 40 knots , which Ms Agnew said the defendants believed was still in place.
The ride, which was said to have taken place in"perfect conditions", saw the Stormforce 950 rib cross the wake of a Red Falcon ferry five times, before heading straight towards the North West Netley buoy, which measures 4.69m above the water line - travelling towards it for 14 seconds at a speed of 38.6 knots , before hitting it and throwing passengers into the water and injuring others.
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