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British sailor in coma after falling from super yacht as he cleaned it

The 22-year-old, named locally as Jacob Nicol, was pulled unconscious from the water off the Majorcan resort of Puerto Portals 

The tragic fall happened off the coast of the popular holiday island of Majorca

The tragic fall happened off the coast of the popular holiday island of Majorca Photo: Alamy 

By Agency

8:31PM BST 17 May 2015

 

 

A British sailor is reportedly in a vegetative state in hospital in Majorca after falling from the Russian-owned super yacht he worked on while cleaning it. 

The 22-year-old was rescued unconscious from the water after plunging from Kibo, a 265ft yacht owned by billionaire Alexander Mamut.

The harness and seat he was cleaning the vessel from hit his head during his fall. 

Local press described him as being in a “vegetative state” a week on from the accident off the upmarket Majorcan resort of Puerto Portals. 

He was named locally as Jacob Nicol, a third assistant engineer on Kibo. 

An investigating magistrate has questioned the super yacht’s captain as part of an ongoing investigation into the accident. 

It is understood the captain rescued the Brit sailor from the water after he was spotted underwater following his fall. 

He had been under the water for several minutes and was already nearly 100 feet from the vessel when he was pulled to safety. 

Kibo, the 74th largest yacht in the world, was delivered to its owner in June 2014. 

Mamut is said to count Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich as a close personal friend. 

He has made millions from investments in banking, insurance, publishing, film production, fashion design and radio. 

His investment company gained ownership of the British bookstore chain Waterston’s in May 2011. 

Forbes estimates his personal wealth at around £1.7 billion, classing him the 36th wealthiest man in Russia. 

He is not thought to have been on his super yacht when the accident happened.