British mother-of-four is killed by a speedboat in Corfu

A British mother-of-four died in Corfu on Monday after being hit by a speedboat while swimming in shallow waters.

Claire Glatman, 60, suffered fatal injuries to her legs caused by the boat’s propeller as she was hit off Avlaki beach, on the north east coast, where the family owned a villa.

Her body was discovered by another bather at around 10am.

Authorities said they were questioning dozens of swimmers in the area in a bid to identify the owner and driver of the speedboat, who did not stop at the scene.

Mrs Glatman, from Bedale, North Yorkshire, was on holiday in Avlaki with her husband, Mark, 63, and one of their two daughters.

The couple, who also have two sons, are understood to have fallen in love with the area whilst on holiday around seven years ago and bought a villa, where they spent several months of the year.

The family is well known amongst the local expat community.

Bibi Tyszkiewicz wrote on Facebook: “She was an absolutely lovely woman. Very much loved on this island. Thoughts to the family. This is (a) huge tragedy.”

Julie Evans added: “I’m so, so sorry, my thoughts are with her family, she was a very good and genuinely nice person. God bless, RiP.”

One friend, who did not want to be identified, told the Telegraph that Mrs Glatman, who has a twin sister, was an experienced swimmer.

She was a trustee of the Hospital Of St Michael The Archangel in Bedale.

Mr Glatman, a solicitor and property developer, is chief executive of Abstract, a commercial property group. He is believed to be the son of Leslie Glatman, who was managing director of Viners of Sheffield, one of the largest and well-known manufacturers of cutlery in the city.

The couple’s children declined to comment yesterday.

It is not known whether the speedboat’s skipper was aware what had happened. One local report suggested that the boat was being used to pull a water skier.

No arrests have been made.

A coastguard spokesman told the Telegraph: “We received an emergency call by local swimmers who found the woman’s body floating in the sea.

“The coastguard recovered the body and transferred it to the local state hospital where an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of her death.”

He said initial medical reports confirmed severe injuries to both legs.

Several hours after the accident, a “suspicious” boat was spotted in the water and pulled out at Gouvia Marina, a coastguard base around 17 miles from the accident site, for forensic examination, according to local news site Enimerosi.

Two people on board were said to be giving statements.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are in contact with the local authorities following reports that a British woman has died in Corfu.”

Several locals suggested on social media that it had been an accident waiting to happen and called for better protection for swimmers.

They said those swimming in the busy bays should be protected from the many boats and jet skis by floating barriers.

Some said they had nearly been hit by speedboats travelling too fast in the water, too close to the shore, on multiple occasions.

An autopsy will be conducted by the medical examiner at Corfu Hospital on Tuesday.