The Story The Sunday Edition: The tragedy of Mike Lynch and the sunken yacht
Jun 21, 2025
Katie Prescott, Technology Business Editor at The Times, shares her insights on Mike Lynch's tragic journey, marked by celebration and catastrophe. Just hours after his acquittal, Lynch's yacht, Bayesian, sank, leading to frantic searches for missing passengers. Prescott explores Lynch's tumultuous legal battles and the ironies of his life in tech, reflecting on how triumph can turn to tragedy in an instant. She delves into the lasting impact of Lynch's legacy on the tech industry, balancing innovation and controversy.
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Celebration Turns To Disaster
- Mike Lynch was celebrating his legal victory on his superyacht with family and colleagues on the Aeolian Islands.
- Within hours, a freak storm caused the yacht to sink rapidly, trapping passengers below deck.
Rare Waterspout Capsizes Yacht
- A rare waterspout struck the yacht, pulling at its 248-foot aluminium mast, causing the vessel to capsize.
- Despite severe weather, other boats nearby were unaffected, making the sinking quite unprecedented.
Tragic Losses on Board
- Mike Lynch's 18-year-old daughter Hannah was aboard and tragically lost in the incident.
- Also lost was Mike Lynch's attorney Chris Mavillo and longtime friend Jonathan Bloomer, adding to the profound personal losses.