Tributes to Mike Lynch co-defendant Stephen Chamberlain after death in Cambridgeshire car crash

• Divers off the coast of Sicily are struggling to search the wreck of a superyacht, which sank early yesterday morning. Six people are still missing.

The family of Stephen Chamberlain, a co-defendant in the US trial of missing tycoon Mike Lynch, have paid tribute to him after his death from injuries he suffered after being hit by a car.

The 52-year-old was out running when he was involved in the crash in Stretham, Cambridgeshire, on Saturday, his lawyer said. He was taken to hospital with serious injuries, after the crash on the A1123 at about 10.10am, and later died.

Mr Chamberlain had stood trial alongside Mr Lynch on fraud charges in the US, which ended in their acquittal earlier this year.

Mr Lynch remains missing off the coast of Sicily after the yacht he was on board sank in bad weather.

Tributes have also been paid by the village football club where he was chairman, and his former company, the cyber-security firm Darktrace.

“Steve was a much-loved husband, father, son, brother and friend," said his family in a statement released through Cambridgeshire Police.

“He was an amazing individual whose only goal in life was to help others in any way possible.

“He made a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

“He will be deeply missed but forever in the hearts of his loved ones.”

The driver of the blue Vauxhall Corsa, a 49-year-old woman from Haddenham in Cambridgeshire, remained at the scene and was helping police with their inquiries.

A spokesman for Darktrace said the company was "incredibly saddened" to hear of the death of Mr Chamberlain, its former chief operating officer, adding that he had been "a substantial contributor to the team in its early years".

"Steve was much loved by his colleagues and leaves many friends at Darktrace.

"We extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Karen, and the rest of his family who are very much in our thoughts at this challenging time."

Mr Chamberlain was also chairman of local football club Hardwick FC.

In a statement on X, the club said: "It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I share the news of the passing of our chairman, our team mate and our dear friend, Steve 'Grumpy' Chamberlain.

"Steve was the heartbeat and driving force for many years at the club even when he took a step back. He was more than just a team-mate to many of us; Steve was a source of guidance, strength and laughter.

"Steve touched countless lives. He had an incredible way of making people feel seen, heard, and loved, and we will forever hold his memory in our hearts.

"Go well Steve, we will miss you forever. X."

Hewlett Packard acquired Cambridge-based Autonomy, founded by Mr Lynch in 1996, for $11bn (£8.64bn), but later wrote down its value by $8.8bn and asked the US justice department to investigate fraud.

Mr Chamberlain, a former vice-president of finance at the company, was accused of artificially inflating Autonomy’s revenues and making false and misleading statements to auditors, analysts and regulators in 2018.

Both he and Mr Lynch were found not guilty of the charge in June following a trial at a federal court in San Francisco, California.

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