Mike Lynch superyacht sinking: ship’s captain, James Cutfield faces manslaughter investigation
- James Cutfield, a 51-year-old New Zealand national, was one of 15 people who survived the sinking of the Bayesian, which left seven people dead
Italian prosecutors will investigate the captain of the superyacht belonging to British tech magnate Mike Lynch that sank off Sicily last week during an intense storm, killing Lynch and six other people, a judicial source said on Monday.
James Cutfield, a 51-year old New Zealand national, is being investigated for manslaughter and shipwreck, the source said, confirming earlier reports by Italian media.
Being placed under investigation in Italy does not imply guilt, and does not mean formal charges will necessarily follow.
The decision was made after Cutfield was interrogated for a second time.
It is still unclear whether other members of the crew or other people will also be put under investigation along with the captain.
The British-flagged Bayesian, a 56-metre-long (184-foot) superyacht, was carrying 22 people when it capsized and sank on Monday within minutes of being hit by a predawn storm while anchored off northern Sicily.
