SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — An autopsy report says the British sailor who died during training for the America’s Cup races suffered extensive trauma to his head and neck, and drowned while trapped underwater for about 10 minutes.
The report released Tuesday by the San Francisco medical examiner says there were serious cuts and bruises to Andrew “Bart” Simpson’s head and neck, and his helmet was crushed. The Olympic gold medalist’s cause of death was listed as “blunt trauma with drowning.”
The autopsy report was obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle (http://bit.ly/1anZIFg ).
Simpson died May 9 after his 72-foot catamaran nosedived and broke into pieces while training in San Francisco Bay with Artemis Racing.
The 36-year-old’s death prompted America’s Cup organizers to implement 37 safety recommendations, including equipping sailors with body armor.
