Man dies in speedboat tragedy

A MAN died last night following a tragic speedboat accident at sea – despite the best efforts of lifeboat crews who plucked him from the choppy waters.

The 43-year-old, who has not yet been named, died in Ipswich Hospital after being thrown out of the 15-foot boat when it overturned in the windswept sea.

The drama unfolded just 100 yards from the shore at Minsmere Sluice, near Aldeburgh, yesterday afternoon.

Two men were in the speedboat and were trying to launch it when it capsized in the surf.

While one of the men managed to swim to the safety of the shoreline, lifeboat crews were called to rescue the other.

Mick Testoni, the press officer for Aldeburgh Lifeboat, said that both Aldeburgh boats were launched, along with the Southwold boat, at about 4.15pm.

"One man got ashore on his own but one was still in the water," he said. "The coastguard sent a mobile unit out as well, and they spotted him and were able to direct the inshore Aldeburgh lifeboat on to the scene.

"They pulled him into the boat and had to perform CPR while they took him back to the shore."

The search and rescue helicopter from Wattisham was also scrambled as it returned from London, where it had dropped off a sick child at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Flt Lt Euan McCulloch, who was captaining the helicopter, said: "We picked up the casualty from the coastline and took him to hospital.

"It took us about ten minutes to get to there. The crew were doing all they could for the casualty, and caring for him as best we know."

Lee Firman, coxswain of the offshore Aldeburgh lifeboat, said 20-25mph winds eventually washed the stricken speedboat ashore.

Of the rescue, he added: "The sea conditions were testing for the helmsman – there was a nasty surf running, but we did our job.

"There was no way we could have got there any faster. It was not a nice rescue by any means and we all tried our hardest – the inshore lifeboat crew performed CPR for about 15 minutes before the helicopter arrived.

"Obviously, a death does have some impact on the crews. Our hearts go out to his family."