Involuntary homicide investigation after fatal Condor crash

Wednesday 13th April 2011, 1:00PM BST.

Philippe Lesaulnier, the skipper of Les Marquises, who died in the collision with Condor Vitesse (Photo: Roberte Jourdon/Ouest-France)

THE French authorities have opened an investigation into involuntary homicide and wounding following the high-speed collision involving Condor Vitesse in which a French fisherman died.

‘The enquiries are being carried out by a highly professional team of maritime Gendarmes based at their national headquarters in Cherbourg’, said Coutances prosecutor Renaud Gaudeul.

He was not able to say whether any individuals had been placed under investigation.

‘At this stage we are collecting all the necessary evidence and a decision will be announced by the summer once we have concluded our investigations,’ he said.