Teen Dies In Boat Propeller Tragedy On The Isle Of Wight

Teen Dies In Boat Propeller Tragedy

A teenage boy has died after he fell from a boat and was apparently hit by its propeller, police said on Saturday.

The 14-year-old from Surrey, who has not been named, was pronounced dead in hospital after the accident off The Needles landmark on the Isle of Wight on Friday afternoon.

The dead boy was on a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) with two other boys aged 14 and an adult male when he fell off.

Another boy received non-life-threatening injuries when he too fell from the RHIB.

Police said the death is not being treated as suspicious.

The boy was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital by a Coastguard rescue helicopter.

Immediate next-of-kin have been informed, but police will not be in a position to confirm the boy's name until all formal identification procedures have been completed, a police spokesman said.

An initial post-mortem examination will take place in the next few days.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Floyd Higginson from Hampshire Police said: "Although the death is not being treated as suspicious, it is routine procedure for specialist detectives to make initial inquiries into the sudden death of someone aged under 18.

"We are providing support for the other three people on board the boat to help ensure their welfare, and to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the death.

"A second 14-year-old boy from Surrey received a serious injury, which was not life-threatening. He is receiving treatment at St Mary's Hospital on the Isle of Wight.

"An adult man and a third 14-year-old boy from Surrey were not injured.

"The rigid hull inflatable boat was taken by Hampshire Constabulary's Marine Unit to Hamble from Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight to be secured as evidence pending further inquiries.

"Police would like to thank HM Coastguard, the RNLI and the NHS for their considerable assistance during the response to this emergency."

Police will prepare a file for the coroner, who has been informed. HM Coastguard has notified the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.

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