Tributes paid to hero fisherman who bravely rescued his crew when their boat was blown up by unexploded WW2 Luftwaffe bomb after he was found dead at home aged 39

• Lewis Mulhearn, 39, died unexpectedly at his home in Weymouth last month
• His family said the bomb detonation ‘took a huge physical and mental toll on him’

A fisherman who bravely rescued his crew when their boat was blown up by unexploded World War II bomb is being hailed as a ‘hero’ and ‘devoted family man’ after he was found dead at his home last month.

Lewis Mulhearn, 39, died unexpectedly at his home in Weymouth, Dorset on January 21. Police said there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

He passed away just two years after he was severely injured by a German-made Luftwaffe bomb that detonated under his fishing boat in the North Sea. 

Mr Mulhearn, as captain of the ship, coordinated the rescue of his six crew mates, who were also badly hurt. He also ensured he was the last man off the vessel and the crew were rescued up by a Danish wind turbine ship. 

Fisherman Lewis Mulhearn, 39, (pictured) died unexpectedly at his home in Weymouth, Dorset on January 21

Mr Mulhearn, who bravely rescued his crew when their Galwad-Y-Mor fishing boat was blown up by unexploded WWII bomb, is being hailed as a ‘hero’ and ‘devoted family man’. The damaged fishing vessel is pictured above

The 290-pound explosive, which had lay dormant for 80 years, went off 20 miles north of Cromer, Norfolk, on December 15, 2020 when the Galwad-Y-Mor fishing boat sailed over it.

The crew had been hauling a crab string with about 100 crab pots attached up from the surface 30 metres below. 

The force of the blast sent the 42-foot vessel into the air and left Mr Mulhearn with head injuries, three broken vertebrae, a broken sternum, knee damage, a broken orbital bone and multiple facial lacerations.

Despite his injuries, the fisherman located the emergency VHF radio in the debris of the flooded wheelhouse and sent a distress signal to the coastguard.

He then made ensured his injured crew was rescued by launching a life raft and lifting them into it, despite being in agony. The entire Galwad-Y-Mor crew survived. 

The force of the blast sent the 42-foot vessel (pictured) into the air and left Mr Mulhearn with head injuries, three broken vertebrae, a broken sternum, knee damage, a broken orbital bone and multiple facial lacerations

Princess Anne (not pictured) presented Mr Mulhearn with the Emile Robin Award from the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society for his heroic actions in October 2021 (pictured)

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Princess Anne later presented Mr Mulhearn with the Emile Robin Award from the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society for his heroic actions.

But Mr Mulhearn’s family says the ordeal took a huge physical and mental toll on him. His loved ones confirmed today that the explosion caused his passing.

‘We are so proud of his actions on that day, but he always said he was just doing the job he loved as a skipper, which was to look after the crew,’ the family said in a statement.

‘Fishing was his life, and he was a devoted family man when he was home from sea.

‘Sadly, on January 21, Lewis died as a result of the explosion. We are all totally devastated. We loved him and will miss him so much.’

He is survived by his wife Jodie, three children and two step-children. 

Helen Lovell, the Devon area officer for the Fishermen’s Mission – a charity which provides pastoral and welfare support to families after an incident – echoed the family’s sentiment.

‘Lewis was a hero and despite his injuries, his first instinct was to rescue his crew that day,’ she said.

An inquest into Mr Mulhearn’s death has been opened and adjourned by the Dorset coroner. 

The 290-pound explosive, which had lay dormant for 80 years, went off 20 miles north of Cromer, Norfolk, on December 15, 2020 when the Galwad-Y-Mor fishing boat sailed over it

The bomb is believed to have been dropped by a German bomber aircraft on Allied shipping lanes in the North Sea in the early 1940s. A fragment of the explosive that struck the Galwad-Y-Mor is pictured above

The bomb that injured the Galwad-Y-Mor crew was a SC250 device that were widely used during the Blitz of London in WWII. 

It is believed to have been dropped by a German bomber aircraft on Allied shipping lanes in the North Sea in the early 1940s.

About 10 per cent of WWII ordnance in the sea is reportedly still unexploded, remaining hazardous to fishermen.

Following the ‘catastrophic’ incident, Mr Mulhearn was honoured with the Emile Award citation in October 2021.

‘It is clear from this report that Lewis Mulhearn remained calm and professional throughout this extraordinary and extreme event, which was later shown to have been caused by the detonation of unexploded ordnance on the seabed,’ his award citation reads. 

The bomb that injured the Galwad-Y-Mor crew was a SC250 device that were widely used during the Blitz of London in WWII. Pictured: Damage to the ship’s mess room

Pictured: Damage to the Galwad-Y-Mor’s wheel house after the accident

‘Despite great uncertainty over the condition of his vessel, and the extent of injuries to his crew, he rapidly assessed the risks and made timely and well-balanced decisions to ensure the safe evacuation of all personnel.

‘All of his actions, including carrying crew members into the attending rescue boats, were conducted despite being in very considerable pain, not least of which came from a broken back.

‘Of particular note the effectiveness of his actions was enhanced by a strong safety culture onboard the vessel, which via regular safety drills ensured that the whole crew was well prepared for emergencies.

‘As such Mr Lewis Mulhearn has been selected as the 2021 recipient of the Emile Robin Award to recognise his heroic and selfless actions in rescuing fellow survivors during this extremely perilous incident.’

A celebration of Mr Mulhearn’s life will take place on February 23 at Weymouth Crematorium, according to his death announcement.

In lieu of flowers, the family is encouraging donations be made in his memory to the Fishermen’s Mission. Those interested in contributing to the charity can contact Rose Funeral Service.

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details.   

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