BREAKING NEWS: Artemis’ AC72 Flips, Crewman Dies

An Artemis Racing AC72 cat flipped in the Central Bay this afternoon at approximately 1:10 this afternoon.

From aerial photos it appears that the Swedish team’s boat suffered major damage; the forward crossbeam appears to have parted from one of the amas or broken.

Initially, VHF channel 16 radio reports were heard, reporting that one crewman was missing. He was eventually found, however. It’s been reported that a crewmember was taken ashore to the St. Francis YC docks by rescue personnel. There he was seen receiving CPR on the docks.

Shortly after 2 p.m. today the SF Fire Department confirmed that the injured crewman has died.

Update: A statement by Artemis Racing confirms the identity of their fallen teammate. British double Olympic medalist Andrew Simpson, 36, was trapped under the capsized boat for 10-15 minutes and could not be resuscitated.

The boat is under tow to Clipper Cove on Treasure Island.