Family of tragic yacht couple ‘shocked’

THE SISTER-IN-LAW of a British man who died defending his wife after attackers boarded their boat in the Caribbean has said the family is “shocked and shattered” by the brutal end to the dream holiday.

Roger Pratt, 62, a retired engineer, died and his wife Margaret was injured after three armed men climbed aboard their yacht moored off the south coast of St Lucia on Friday.

Mrs Pratt, who retired as a management consultant to go on the long-planned around-the-world holiday, celebrated her 60th birthday just days before the incident.

The couple had planned to set sail for the next stage of their journey the day before the attack, but were held up by red tape.

Jenny Riley said she had spoken to her sister by telephone on Sunday and that her injuries were not lifethreatening, she was recovering well and had returned to the couple’s yacht.

“She has been badly beaten up but she will pull through,” she said.

“It’s a shocking and tragic end to their dream and we’re all coming to terms with it as best we can. Margaret is very strong and she’s very busy, there’s a lot to do.

“At the moment she is concentrating on that and that focus is helping her keep it together.”

Three men are still being detained in connection with the incident.

A post-mortem examination of Mr Pratt’s body was carried out yesterday.

Roger Pratt and his wife Margaret.