A sudden gust of wind is thought to have swung the sailboat’s boom into Andrea Bruglia’s head, knocking him out cold and sending him plunging into the sea off Ancona’s Marina Dorica, Italy
An entrepreneur died after being sucked into the propeller of his own boat in the Mediterranean as his heartbroken son looked on in horror. Keen yachtsman Andrea Bruglia, 62, was sailing with son Alessandro and three pals last Thursday evening when tragedy struck.
A sudden gust of wind is thought to have swung the sailboat’s boom into Andrea’s head, knocking him out cold and sending him plunging into the sea off Ancona’s Marina Dorica, Italy.
He was then dragged into the propeller where he suffered significant injuries to his head and arms, killing him almost instantly. Brave Alessandro dived in and hauled his dad out before desperately trying to resuscitate him, but his efforts were in vain.
The coastguard was deployed and were on the scene within 10 minutes of the alarm being raised. They brought both father and son back to shore, where Andrea was pronounced dead. Alessandro, who was in deep shock, was rushed to hospital.
An official from the Ancona Port Authority said it was a “maritime accident”, according to local media Ancona Today.
Matteo Verrigni said: “The vessel was undamaged. The crew had departed from Croatia in good weather, but upon arriving in Ancona, there was a sudden change in sea conditions, causing the victim to fall from the vessel.
“Our patrol boat arrived within 10 minutes of the crew raising the alarm by calling 112. Arriving on the scene, it rescued two people from the sea: the son and the father.”
Andrea – known to friends as “Benca” – ran a successful medical supplies company and was a lifelong sailor.
He owned a 13-metre Grand Soleil 43 yacht with three cabins and every comfort, and had completed numerous voyages with his children Alessandro and Arianna.
In recent years he had also launched a project promoting sustainable sailing holidays. Local reports say they had been returning from a holiday in Croatia. His funeral was held in Ancona on Monday morning.
Long-time friend and local councillor Daniele Berardinelli paid tribute, saying: “He was an exceptional person. We took many vacations together.
They called him Benca, after Bencardino, a 1982 Ancona soccer player who we all said he resembled. The sea and boats were his passions. They even went to Ancona matches together.”
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