Tragic Accident Claims Life of Former CEO of Harry Potter Publisher in Italy
A devastating accident off Italy’s Amalfi Coast took the life of a prominent tourist and former CEO of the American
Nik Richie
A devastating accident off Italy’s Amalfi Coast took the life of a prominent tourist and former CEO of the American arm of the British publisher responsible for launching the Harry Potter series in the UK. Adrienne Vaughan, 45, the president of Bloomsbury US, was traveling with her family when the motorboat they were riding collided with a sailing vessel rented for special events.
The accident occurred as both boats approached the Fiordo di Furore area of the Amalfi Coast around 6 p.m. local time on Friday. Adrienne was tragically thrown into the water and sustained fatal injuries from the propellers of the 45-meter sailboat named Tortuga, where 80 guests, including Americans and Germans, were on board.
Her husband and two children survived the collision, and the Amalfi Coast Guard unit promptly responded to the accident. Adrienne received medical treatment at the scene, was taken to Amalfi port, and later to the emergency room in Castiglione. Tragically, she passed away before a helicopter ambulance arrived at 7 p.m. local time to airlift her to Salerno.
Following the incident, the Salerno Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into the skipper of the motorboat, as initial toxicology reports indicated he had more alcohol in his system than the legal limit. Further tests for drugs will be released at a later time. The captain of the Tortuga, however, tested negative for any substances and is not under investigation.
Both boats involved in the accident have been sequestered by the Salerno Port Authority pending the ongoing investigation. The U.S. embassy in Rome had no information regarding the case or the support being provided when reached by CNN. The tragic incident has left family, friends, and the literary community mourning the loss of Adrienne Vaughan, a prominent figure in the publishing industry.