Edward Jarman, from West Hoathly, southeast of Crawley, was snorkelling in Mo’orea Bay, near Tahiti in French Polynesia, when the accident happened on August 9, 2020.
The 14-year-old British-Polish teenager, known as Eddie, was hit by a three-tonne, semi-rigid inflatable boat piloted by a local lagoon guide and died from head and chest injuries caused by the boat’s propellers.
An inquest held today (April 28) at Woodvale Crematorium in Brighton heard that the five-metre vessel, described as a “fast-moving, unlicensed speedboat,” struck Eddie while he was snorkelling close to his family’s anchored boat.
Joseph Turner, area coroner, said despite Eddie being taken to shore and attempts to resuscitate him, his injuries were likely to be “immediately fatal and non survivable”.
Eddie’s family had been on a round-the-world sailing trip when he died.
His family attended the inquest and said they had been “fighting for justice for a long and painful four years.”
An involuntary manslaughter investigation was launched by local authorities in French Polynesia, but no charges were brought despite legal efforts from the family.
A bid from a public prosecutor and the family to bring charges was refused by the investigating judge, who took the view there was not a “realistic prospect of conviction because of the totality of evidence”.
A further appeal to a higher court also agreed with the decision of the first judge, and a third legal challenge to a higher court in Paris was not pursued due to a “limited prospect of success.”
Evidence at the inquest revealed conflicting accounts about the speed of the boat at the time of the incident.
Eddie’s father, Harry Jarman, told local police he saw the boat “coming at full speed behind us,” and described it as “practically skimming” above the water.
He told officers: “I turned around thinking he’s crazy.”
However, the driver claimed he was under the 20-knot speed limit and had reduced his speed in the channel.
The coroner concluded the boat was likely travelling within the speed limit, but noted that similar locations elsewhere would not have a 20-knot limit so close to a moored vessel and beach.
The inquest also heard that both the driver and passenger confirmed they had shared a bottle of wine over lunch before the incident, and the driver said he had also been drinking the night before at a party.
However, toxicology reports taken on the day showed no alcohol in the driver’s system.
Eddie’s mother, Barbara Genda, questioned the accuracy of the results and told the coroner: “To me [the fact that] there was no alcohol at all in results, no trace, it’s pretty impossible”.
In a summary of findings, the coroner said: “The evidence is clear the boat driver and his companion had been up to probably the early hours of the night before, they had just come from lunch where they had consumed wine.
“Samples taken proved negative for alcohol and drugs; it is difficult for me to reconcile that evidence.
“It does seem more probable than not there would have been some alcohol in his system at the time from his own evidence.”
But he added that the driver was experienced and knew the area well.
The coroner concluded with a narrative finding and said he could not reach a verdict of unlawful killing, as not all required legal elements were met.
Following Eddie’s death, his family set up a crowdfunder and established a young musicians’ charity in his memory.
Paying tribute to her son, Ms Genda said: “Eddie had an amazing zest for life, a lovely boy and so bright with talent and kindness, who loved adventure and the sea.
“We were blessed with his musical talent, he played expertly the piano, violin and a double bass, never happier than listening to his favourite jazz and bossa nova tracks.
“Mature well over his 14 years, he has made an indelible mark on everyone he has met.”
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