EXCLUSIVE - 'She was paralysed with shock': Hero who rescued Natasha Kaplinsky from her luxury yacht inferno reveals TV star's 'utter panic' as her eight-year-old girl was badly burned in the petrol blast

Natasha Kaplinsky's daughter Angelica, eight, suffered burns when her family's boat caught fire off Corfu
The newsreader's husband Justin Bower made a panicked phone call pleading for help to boat hire owner Yannis Doumarapis
Mr Doumarapis jumped in a speed boat and raced to the family's luxury yacht to rescue them
He said he found the TV star laying on the boat deck 'paralysed' with shock and her daughter and husband bobbing in the sea
Investigators in Greece claim a faulty fuel pump was to blame for the flash fire
Angelica took the full brunt of the blast as she looked down into the engine room

Published: 19:17 BST, 27 June 2018 | Updated: 20:40 BST, 27 June 2018

e-mail

View
comments

TV star Natasha Kaplinsky was paralysed with shock after seeing her eight-year-old daughter engulfed in a fireball on their luxury yacht, MailOnline can reveal.

The former newsreader was in a state of 'utter panic', according to the hero who raced to save the family their stricken boat off the coast of Corfu.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Yannis Doumarapis, 67, told how he answered a mayday call and sped to the boat where he found their daughter Angelica and her father in the water.

'I suddenly got a call from her husband saying 'Help, we're on fire. The boat's on fire,' he said.

'Both father and the daughter were in the sea, bobbing about in panic. They had probably jumped to escape the fire.

'The daughter had taken the full brunt of the fire on her face and hands, she was badly burned.

Hero hire boat owner Yannis Doumarapis, 67, (pictured) told MailOnline how he rescued TV star Natasha Kaplinsky and her family from their burning luxury yacht off the coast of Corfu

Mr Doumarapis jumped into this speed boat and raced to the family's burning yacht when he received a frantic mayday call from the newsreader's husband investment banker Justin Bower

Following the call, Mr Doumarapis, 67, said he found Ms Kaplinsky in a state of 'utter panic' and lying on the deck of the boat following the petrol blast that engulfed her young daughter

Mr Doumarapis said he was alerted to the family's plight when the newsreader's husband Mr Bower (pictured) called him and said: 'Help, we're on fire. The boat's on fire'

Investigators said the yacht, which is based in Kouloura harbour, Corfu, suffered minor damage when a faulty fuel pump ignited petrol, injuring the eight-year-old girl

'The son was on the deck with the grandparents and the mother [Kaplinsky] was lying down, immobilized and in a state of shock.

'I panicked when I saw them. I did not know what to think. The girl was burnt on the face. So too was the mum. But I didn't ask any question just rushed to get them all into my boat.'

Yiannis said he raced back Corfu harbor and had called ahead for a driver to meet them with a car.

The youngster and her father were taken to a state hospital while Kaplinsky, 45, and her father were rushed to a private clinic. Kaplinsky and her father are thought to have suffered minor burns.

The family, who own a £1.5million five bedroom mansion on the island, later flew home on a private jet.

Yiannis said he visited the family several times while they received medical treatment following the terrifying incident earlier this month.

He added: 'I visited them a few times but then they left back home for additional medical assistance. I am happy they are well now. What a horrible experience.'

Angelica took the full brunt of the blast to her face and hands suffering serious burns.

The yacht was three miles from shore when it was rocked by the blast. After her rescue, the couple's daughter was airlifted back to the UK from the Greek Island for specialist treatment

She was airlifted back to the UK from the Greek Island to get specialist treatment.

Yannis, 67, who runs a yacht leasing business in Corfu harbor, told how he received a panic stricken telephone call from Kaplinsky's husband Justin Bower pleading for help.

Investigators believe a faulty fuel pump was to blame for the explosion which took place just 20 minutes after the family had sailed out of the harbor for an outing.

They were heading for the outcrop of Vido when engine trouble caused them to stop.

Angelica was burned on her face as she stood on the deck and peered down into the engine room, according to an official involved in the investigation.

'The young girl was on the deck looking down towards the fire,' said an official with knowledge of the investigation. 'She bore the brunt of the blast.'

While the three family members suffered injuries the fire was minor and caused less than £200 worth of damage.

The family are believed to own a five-bed mansion called Plumbago (pictured) on the Greek island of Corfu, where they are regular visitors. Their boat is also named Plumbago Go

'The fire that broke out was not a big one,' said the official. 'The boat sustained no major damage - no more than 200 Euros of touch up is required,'

It is thought the girl was engulfed by flames when leaking petrol was ignited by the hot engine. The fireball would be similar to that when petrol is poured on a BBQ and a erupts as highly flammable fumes ignite.

A spokesman for Kaplinsky declined to comment.