Simon Le Bon, well-known as the lead singer of Duran Duran, faced a harrowing near-death experience four decades ago following a boating accident. The incident took place during the Fastnet yacht race in 1985 off the coast of England, where his 78-foot maxi-yacht, named Drum, capsized. This dramatic event left him and five crew members trapped inside the overturned boat for a terrifying 40 minutes. Despite the perilous situation, they managed to survive thanks to an air pocket within the vessel.
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Le Bon, who has been an avid sailor from a young age, found himself in a life-threatening situation as the keel of the boat broke off from the hull during the race. While eighteen crew members could get onto the hull, Le Bon and five others faced imminent danger as they remained trapped inside. Their struggle for survival was intensified as their lungs filled with a noxious mix of diesel fumes and battery acid. Recalling the ordeal in a BBC interview, he described the moment as gazing into the eyes of death.
After a prolonged period beneath the capsized boat, a Navy diver eventually rescued the trapped individuals, including Le Bon. However, the trauma of the incident lingered with him even after his rescue. He spoke of developing a stress-related rash on his chest and arms, reflecting the emotional toll the experience had taken on him. The cause of the keel separation was later attributed to a design flaw in the yacht, which had catastrophic consequences during the race.
For over three decades following the accident, Le Bon avoided revisiting any footage or materials related to the capsizing. It was only in 2016, for a BBC documentary, that he mustered the courage to watch his dramatic rescue. Looking back on the event, he now finds some humour in the situation, particularly when recalling being lifted into a helicopter in his underwear after his pants got caught underwater. The image of a rock star in such a vulnerable state became a widely shared moment.
The distressing experience at sea in 1985, which occurred shortly after Duran Duran’s performance at Live Aid, had a profound impact on Le Bon’s perspective on life. He acknowledged the transformative nature of such life-threatening encounters, emphasising that everyone goes through pivotal moments that shape their journey. Despite the high-profile nature of his ordeal, he maintained that such incidents are part of the human experience, highlighting the unpredictable nature of life.
The courageous rescue and survival story of Simon Le Bon during the 1985 boating accident showcase the resilience and strength he exhibited in the face of danger. The incident, captured in a People magazine cover story titled “Simon Le Bon: A Brush With Death at Sea,” stands as a testament to his will to overcome adversity. As he reflects on that fateful day, Le Bon acknowledges the gravity of the situation while finding solace in the humour found in unexpected circumstances.