This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/06/cornwall-speedboat-accident-police-rescuers
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Cornwall speedboat accident: police pay tribute to rescuers | Cornwall speedboat accident: police pay tribute to rescuers |
| (4 months later) | |
| A bank holiday weekend was marred by tragedy when a popular television executive and his eight-year-old daughter were killed after being thrown from a speedboat that then circled back and ran them over. | A bank holiday weekend was marred by tragedy when a popular television executive and his eight-year-old daughter were killed after being thrown from a speedboat that then circled back and ran them over. |
| Nick Milligan, a senior executive with BSkyB, and his daughter Emily died in the accident on Sunday at one of Cornwall's most popular boating spots while his wife, Victoria, 39, and their four-year-old son, Kit, suffered what police called "life-changing" leg injuries. | Nick Milligan, a senior executive with BSkyB, and his daughter Emily died in the accident on Sunday at one of Cornwall's most popular boating spots while his wife, Victoria, 39, and their four-year-old son, Kit, suffered what police called "life-changing" leg injuries. |
| The couple's two other daughters Olivia, 10, and Amber, 12, escaped with minor injuries in the accident in the Camel river, just off the bustling harbourside town of Padstow. | The couple's two other daughters Olivia, 10, and Amber, 12, escaped with minor injuries in the accident in the Camel river, just off the bustling harbourside town of Padstow. |
| Police and coastguards paid tribute to holidaymakers and boat operators who rushed to help the family when they were thrown from their speedboat. | Police and coastguards paid tribute to holidaymakers and boat operators who rushed to help the family when they were thrown from their speedboat. |
| Waterski instructor Charlie Toogood pulled alongside the runaway boat, which had begun to travel in ever-decreasing circles, and jumped into it from his vessel. He cut the power and prevented further possible deaths or injuries. | Waterski instructor Charlie Toogood pulled alongside the runaway boat, which had begun to travel in ever-decreasing circles, and jumped into it from his vessel. He cut the power and prevented further possible deaths or injuries. |
| A kayaker also dodged around the runaway speedboat as it was circling to reach the stricken family. | A kayaker also dodged around the runaway speedboat as it was circling to reach the stricken family. |
| The police will investigate whether the helmsperson on the boat was equipped with a functioning kill cord, a lanyard that causes the power to cut out if he or she is thrown off. | The police will investigate whether the helmsperson on the boat was equipped with a functioning kill cord, a lanyard that causes the power to cut out if he or she is thrown off. |
| Police will also look at what caused the family to be ejected. Some witnesses have said the vessel "lurched" and threw them out. The Camel estuary is well known for its sandbars – including the notorious Doom Bar further out to sea – but the water was high at the time of the accident. | Police will also look at what caused the family to be ejected. Some witnesses have said the vessel "lurched" and threw them out. The Camel estuary is well known for its sandbars – including the notorious Doom Bar further out to sea – but the water was high at the time of the accident. |
| At a press conference in Bodmin, Milligan's brother, Max, paid an emotional tribute to the family, from Wandsworth, south-west London, who were visiting their holiday home on the opposite side of the river from Padstow. | At a press conference in Bodmin, Milligan's brother, Max, paid an emotional tribute to the family, from Wandsworth, south-west London, who were visiting their holiday home on the opposite side of the river from Padstow. |
| He said: "Nick – or Nico, as he was known to us – was an extremely loving father and husband, son and brother who doted on his family. As children and teenagers we spent many summers and new year's eves at New Polzeath [a few miles from the scene of the tragedy] and a few years ago he built his dream home above Daymer Bay." | He said: "Nick – or Nico, as he was known to us – was an extremely loving father and husband, son and brother who doted on his family. As children and teenagers we spent many summers and new year's eves at New Polzeath [a few miles from the scene of the tragedy] and a few years ago he built his dream home above Daymer Bay." |
| Struggling to hold back tears, Milligan added: "That he and my delightful niece died in their favourite place at the end of a gloriously sunny bank holiday weekend provides us with a tiny glimmer of light." | Struggling to hold back tears, Milligan added: "That he and my delightful niece died in their favourite place at the end of a gloriously sunny bank holiday weekend provides us with a tiny glimmer of light." |
| In a media profile, Milligan, 51, a founding director of Channel 5, cited his interests as "the kids, skiing, golf, motorbikes, anything outdoors" and said his most treasured possession was his Cornish beachhouse. | In a media profile, Milligan, 51, a founding director of Channel 5, cited his interests as "the kids, skiing, golf, motorbikes, anything outdoors" and said his most treasured possession was his Cornish beachhouse. |
| DS Jim Colwell, of Devon and Cornwall police, said it was a "sad and tragic set of circumstances" that took place on a "sunny and beautiful day in a beautiful part of the world". | DS Jim Colwell, of Devon and Cornwall police, said it was a "sad and tragic set of circumstances" that took place on a "sunny and beautiful day in a beautiful part of the world". |
| He said the police had been alerted to the accident just before 4pm on Sunday. They had been told two adults and four children had been "ejected" from a motorboat that had gone out of control and began circling before "coming into contact" with the people in the water. | He said the police had been alerted to the accident just before 4pm on Sunday. They had been told two adults and four children had been "ejected" from a motorboat that had gone out of control and began circling before "coming into contact" with the people in the water. |
| Colwell praised the "brave and heroic" help offered by local people and holidaymakers who dashed to help. "If people hadn't come to their assistance I'm confident the incident would have been far worse in terms of the overall death toll," he said. | Colwell praised the "brave and heroic" help offered by local people and holidaymakers who dashed to help. "If people hadn't come to their assistance I'm confident the incident would have been far worse in terms of the overall death toll," he said. |
| He added: "The reason that boat didn't stop when it should have done when there was nobody left on it is a key part of our investigation. The kill cord, the presence of, state of and how it was attached or otherwise will be a key focus." | He added: "The reason that boat didn't stop when it should have done when there was nobody left on it is a key part of our investigation. The kill cord, the presence of, state of and how it was attached or otherwise will be a key focus." |
| He would not comment on whether Milligan was an experienced boat user, and said the accounts of the survivors would be crucial, though establishing their stories would be a "very delicate process". He said six life jackets were recovered – but did not say if they were being worn at the time. | He would not comment on whether Milligan was an experienced boat user, and said the accounts of the survivors would be crucial, though establishing their stories would be a "very delicate process". He said six life jackets were recovered – but did not say if they were being worn at the time. |
| The boat, an 8m-long Cobra Nautique RIB that can reach speeds of around 50mph and is billed as being perfect for "family adventure", will be subject to forensic investigation by the police and the marine accident investigation branch. | The boat, an 8m-long Cobra Nautique RIB that can reach speeds of around 50mph and is billed as being perfect for "family adventure", will be subject to forensic investigation by the police and the marine accident investigation branch. |
| Among those singled out for praise was the man who jumped on board to stop the runaway speedboat, Charlie Toogood, 32, who runs a waterskiing business during the summer and a bespoke alpine holiday company, Camel Snow, during the winter. | Among those singled out for praise was the man who jumped on board to stop the runaway speedboat, Charlie Toogood, 32, who runs a waterskiing business during the summer and a bespoke alpine holiday company, Camel Snow, during the winter. |
| Of Toogood's actions, Matt Pavitt, of North Cornwall coastguard, said: "He manoeuvred his boat alongside the vessel, picked his moment and jumped – he realised the severity of the situation. The enormity of what he achieved is sinking in." | Of Toogood's actions, Matt Pavitt, of North Cornwall coastguard, said: "He manoeuvred his boat alongside the vessel, picked his moment and jumped – he realised the severity of the situation. The enormity of what he achieved is sinking in." |
| Toogood's wife, Faith, said: "Charlie has nothing to say at this moment. He would prefer to be left in peace." | Toogood's wife, Faith, said: "Charlie has nothing to say at this moment. He would prefer to be left in peace." |
| Pavitt also thanked one of two kayakers who had gone to the family's aid. "One of the kayakers actually managed to manoeuvre their kayak in between the boat while it was still circling to provide aid to some people incredibly quickly." | Pavitt also thanked one of two kayakers who had gone to the family's aid. "One of the kayakers actually managed to manoeuvre their kayak in between the boat while it was still circling to provide aid to some people incredibly quickly." |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |