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Power boat crash at regatta

Police at the scene of the accident after the power boat crash in Dover
Police at the scene of the accident after the power boat crash in Dover

The man tragically killed in a power boat race yesterday has been named.

Alex Edmonds, 41, from Lower Stoke, was killed during the annual Dover Regatta.

It is thought Mr Edmonds, who was a member of Allhallows Yacht Club, suffered head and chest injuries when his boat collided with another during an organised race.

Mr Edmonds was airlifted to hospital, but died of his face and head injuries. It is believed he became trapped in the boat at the major annual water spectacular.

Kent Air Ambulance was called, but it was not needed.

Events on the water were cancelled when firefighters, police and ambulance crews were called to the harbour.

Hundreds of people at the annual event were moved away from the area until the injured man was taken away by ambulance.

Police have confirmed they are investigating the incident.

Simon Smith, station commander at Dover Fire Station, said: “The Port of Dover Police has impounded the two boats and Kent Police will be conducting an investigation.”

He said Kent Fire and Rescue Service was called to the scene by an ambulance crew after one person was reported to have received serious head and chest injuries in a collision between two racing boats.

On Saturday afternoon Dover Harbour Board issued a statement on its website confirming the death “which happened as a result of a collision between two power boats which were taking part in an organised race at Dover Regatta.”

It added that the investigation into the incident had already started, but no further details could be given.

Dover Regatta is an annual event organised by the Dover Sea Sports Development Trust and its chairman is Bill Fawcus.

After the death had been confirmed, he said a decision was taken to halt all power boat races due to take place during the remainder of the two-day programme of events.

He said: “The parents have said they feel their son would not have wanted the regatta cancelled.”

Mr Fawcus said the investigation into the incident would be conducted by the Marine Accident Investigation Board.

He added: “Our thoughts are with the man’s family, friends and colleagues in power boating.”

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