Tributes have been paid to tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch who died after his superyacht sank in a storm off the coast of Sicily.
Mr Lynch, who is known for co-founding the software firm Autonomy, was named as one of the victims who was killed after the £14 million sailboat – named the Bayesian – went down at around 5am local time on Monday.
Follow our live coverage of the search and rescue operation in Italy
The 59-year-old was on a trip celebrating his acquittal in a high-profile US fraud trial when the boat was caught in the storm.
Family and friends said they were all ‘hoping for a miracle’, but have been left ‘deeply saddened’ after Italian authorities said they had recovered his body yesterday.
Friend Brent Hoberman said his death is ‘unbelievably tragic’, describing Mr Lynch as an ‘inspiring figure’ in the tech community who should be remembered for his achievements.
‘We were all hoping for a miracle – we knew it was unlikely but you still hold out hope,’ he told Sky News.
‘It’s just so unbelievably tragic for him to go through what he went through over the last 12 years, defending his name and not really living a full life, to now for his death to be confirmed is obviously incredibly sad.’
The Royal Academy of Engineering said: ‘The trustee board, fellows and staff of the Royal Academy of Engineering are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Mike Lynch, and send our profound condolences to his family.
‘Mike became a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2008 and we have fond memories of the active role he played in the past as a mentor, donor and former council member.
‘He was also one of the inaugural members on the enterprise committee.
‘Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time’
Italian authorities said the bodies of four other passengers including Morgan Stanley International bank chairperson Jonathan Bloomer, his wife, Judy Bloomer, Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo, and his wife, Neda Morvillo were also recovered from the scene.
Hannah Lynch, Mr Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter is still missing.A sixth body is yet to be recovered from the wreckage.
Mr Bloomer, who is also the former honorary treasurer of the children’s charity the NSPCC, was described as ‘a very kind individual’.
Speaking about the Morgan Stanley International bank chairperson and his wife Judy, chair of the NSPCC Neil Berkett said: ‘We are deeply saddened that the deaths of Jonathan Bloomer and his wife Judy have been confirmed after the yacht they were on tragically sank off the coast of Sicily.
‘Jonathan and Judy were great supporters of the NSPCC over many years, with Jonathan joining our board of trustees in 2008 and serving as the honorary treasurer from 2009 to 2016.
‘We remember Jonathan from his time with us as a very kind individual with a great sense of humour and Judy as formidable and passionate.
‘We are so grateful for everything they did for children and the NSPCC and our thoughts are with their family, friends and colleagues at this desperately sad time.’
The 184ft yacht was struck by a freak event known as a waterspout – a tornado over water – as it moored overnight off Porticello, a fishing village 10 miles east of Palermo.
A total of 22 passengers were onboard the yacht and 15 were saved.
Recaldo Thomas, the yacht’s chef, was confirmed as the first person who had died on Tuesday.
Five of the bodies were found yesterday when rescue teams finally managed to access the ship’s sleeping cabin after being hampered by debris blocking their access.
Mr Lynch was known for his business Autonomy, which he sold to Hewlett-Packard for millions in 2011, and his venture capitalist firm Invoke Capital.
Born in Ilford, east London, to Irish parents, he graduated with a PhD from the University of Cambridge. Mr Lynch was married to Angela Bacares, with whom he shares two daughters.
Ms Bacares, 57, survived the disaster but was left using a wheelchair due to the injuries she suffered when the yacht sank.
Mr Lynch has a reported net worth valued at around £852 million, according to the Independent.
His business ventures led him to once be dubbed ‘Britain’s Bill Gates’ but also landed him in legal trouble.
Autonomy’s sale was wrapped in fraud claims, and he faced civil action in the UK before being extradited to the United States to face criminal charges.
In his first interview after being cleared, Mr Lynch told The Sunday Times: ‘Now you have a second life. The question is, what do you want to do with it?’
His friend, former cabinet minister Lord Debden, said the entrepreneur was at the ‘beginning of a new life’.
Speaking to Times Radio before Mr Lynch’s body was recovered, he said: ‘He came back to be ready to start again. He made such a contribution to Britain. His companies have put British IT in the forefront, and he was going to do it again, and we pray that he can do it again.’
Hannah had recently finished her A-Levels and was bound for Oxford University. She was due to start studying English at Trinity College later this year.
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