A powerboats championship was abandoned today after an experienced competitor was killed when his boat flipped over, the Royal Yacht Association (RYA) said.
Ian Stirling, 59, a veteran of the sport at international level, died and a crew member was injured in the accident during the Festival of Power event at the European and British National Powerboat Championships, in Harwich, Essex, yesterday afternoon.
Their boat hit a wave causing both men to be thrown into the water. No other boats were involved and the crew member was recovering in hospital. An inquiry is under way.
A spokeswoman for the East of England ambulance service said Stirling suffered a head injury and was confirmed dead at the scene. Essex police said a postmortem examination would take place this week.
The Guardian
