Boat pair charged over passenger's death

A ship's captain and ship's mate have been charged after a passenger slipped while disembarking from their boat and drowned, police said today.

William Britton, 60, of Sidcup, south east London, and Ryan Sandall, 24, of Victoria Dock, east London, are both accused of manslaughter following the death of Mexican national Adrian Jair Hernandez Murillo.

The 32-year-old fell into the water while getting off the Hurlingham, moored at Westminster Pier, after a party in August last year.

His body was found five days later and a post-mortem examination found he had drowned.

Britton is also charged with intending to pervert the course of justice and Sandall faces one charge of engaging in conduct likely to cause death or serious injury to another contrary to the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.

Both men have been bailed and are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 13 July.