‘Devastated’ family mourns loss of ‘Harry Potter’ publishing exec Adrienne Vaughan killed in boat wreck

The “devastated” family of the prominent New York book publishing executive who was killed in a boat wreck off the Amalfi Coast said the tragedy is “impossible to comprehend.”

In a statement to The Post Thursday, Mike White shared the grief his family has been experiencing since his wife, Adrienne Vaughan — the 45-year-old president of “Harry Potter” publisher Bloomsbury USA — was fatally struck by a speedboat propeller while vacationing last week.

“Adrienne’s death has devastated our family. She was a beloved mother, wife, daughter, sister, niece and dear friend and colleague to many,” her husband said.

“Her absence from our lives and the terrible circumstances of her death are impossible to comprehend.”

White said the family has placed their trust in the Italian authorities to complete their investigation surrounding the fatal boating crash that launched Vaughn into the water.

“We look to the Italian authorities to fully investigate the circumstances leading to Adrienne’s death, to ascertain where responsibility for this lies, and to ensure that any person who is found to bear responsibility is held accountable under the Italian criminal justice system,” White continued.

“We are cooperating with the Italian authorities in their investigations, and will continue to do so until they conclude.” 

The skipper of the motorboat, 30-year-old Elio Persico, faces culpable manslaughter and negligent injury charges for allegedly operating the vessel while drunk and high on coke.

It is not clear how intoxicated Persico was and what effect the drugs had on his ability to perform his duties.

White previously claimed that Persico was distracted by his cell phone when he smashed the 20-foot speedboat into the hull of a 130-foot yacht that was carrying a wedding party.

Officials said Vaughan had been sunning on bow of the boat at the time of the impact and was “bounced” into the water, landing between the hulls of the two vessels.

Dramatic video taken during the accident shows that the Persico may have put the speedboat in reverse after Vaughan and White were launched overboard.

Vaughn was then struck by the spinning propeller when the boat backed into her.

Persico suffered cracked ribs and pelvic injuries, while White had to undergo surgery on his collarbone.

The couple’s children — Leanna, 14, and Mason, 11 — were not physically harmed but treated for shock.

The New York-based Vaughan and her family were enjoying an Italian holiday when the tragedy struck.

About 70 people were onboard the sailboat celebrating a wedding during the collision. Many said they thought the skipper of the motorboat appeared intoxicated after the collision.

Footage from the reception on the sailboat showed guests dancing, when the music suddenly stopped.

“What happened?” one woman asked, as a man responded in horror, “This ship collided with us!”

Bystanders rushed to rescue Vaughn, whose arm was amputated by the propeller and suffered a gash to the neck, but she died before emergency services could arrive.