Police to investigate islander's death on Magaluf party boat

Wednesday 05 July 2017

It's emerged that Spanish police are investigating a party boat which featured in the Inbetweeners movie, after a “devoted” Jersey father lost his life following a trip onboard.

A fortnight ago it was reported that 29-year-old Etienne Hampton had been enjoying a party with up to 240 other guests on a catamaran in Magaluf when he got into difficulties after jumping into the water.

Following numerous CPR attempts, he was brought to a hospital in Palma where he later passed away, sparking an investigation by Spanish authorities, the Sun reported.

But since then, more details have emerged of the circumstances leading up to his death, including allegations from passengers on the same tour that health and safety precautions were lacking. 

The self-dubbed “No 1 booze cruise”, which takes place on board the Britannia catamaran, features in the Inbetweeners movie. In the film, character Simon attempts to swim from the ship to the shore to impress a girl, nearly drowning in the process.

That fame has seen the ship soar in popularity among Magaluf tourists, with partygoers paying £50 a head for the two-and-a-half hour trip featuring DJs and an open bar.

Pictured: The website for Magaluf's "Official No1 Booze Cruise", upon which Etienne Hampton had been a guest before he lost his life.

Despite the premium price, those on board during the fateful June 18 voyage complained that the DJ had invited guests to jump off the ship in “choppy conditions” in which they, “…had to use all [their] strength not to fall over.”

“I looked down and I said: ‘I’m not going down there, it’s a rough as hell.’ “What happened next was a total disaster,” mechanic and tourist at the time Dave Sherwood commented.

Criticising the lack of safety considerations, he alleged: “There was no procedures in place, no health and safety.

“There was a catalogue of events that was 100% avoidable. 

“There was no-one counting us on. The boat was totally unsuitable for a booze cruise, there was no easy means of jumping off and getting back on, it was a nightmare.”

Following Etienne’s death, his uncle, Ben Hampton, successfully raised over £8,000 to pay for medical expenses, funeral costs and to support Etienne Hampton's four-year-old daughter. The family plan was for Etienne to be cremated in Majorca so that his ashes can be returned to Jersey. 

Those that knew him described him as a "devoted father" and "a loyal friend with a massive heart."

A service of remembrance will be held for him in St Paul's Church at 18:00 on Friday.