The family of a woman killed in a boat crash in Bermuda have launched legal actions in Britain over her death.

Mary McKee, 62, from Christchurch, New Zealand, died on June 1, 2017 after the inflatable boat she was travelling in was struck by a speedboat.

According to New Zealand news website Stuff.nz, Arthur McKee has now instructed English law firm Stewarts to begin proceedings against Charlie Watson, the skipper who was piloting the inflatable boat he and Ms McKee were riding in.

Mr McKee has also launched legal action against the operator of Dream Paix, the catamaran on which the couple were staying in. The case is expected to be heard by the English High Court.

Mr and Ms McKee came to Bermuda on the day of the fatal crash to watch the America’s Cup.

The Bermuda Supreme Court heard the crash happened as Mr Watson was ferrying the couple across Hamilton Harbour when a second boat, piloted by Bermudian Andrew Lake, rode over them.

Mr McKee and Mr Watson both suffered serious injuries in the collision, but Ms McKee drowned after she was knocked unconscious and fell off the boat.

Lake admitted that he had been speeding at the time of the crash and pleaded guilty to causing the death of Ms McKee by reckless driving. But the court also heard the boat piloted by Mr Watson was completely unlit and Lake testified that he could not see the boat in the dark.

Stuff.nz reported that Mr McKee reached a settlement with Lake’s insurers in 2018, but the sum was limited by Lake’s insurance coverage.

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