Police have confirmed that a man died yesterday (Friday) as a result of a boating incident in the bay of Osborne House, East Cowes, Isle of Wight.
OnTheWight understands the incident occurred on a water-jet powered RIB that was a tender for what the RNLI described as a ‘luxury motor-yacht’. The alarm was raised with Solent Coastguard shortly after 5pm.
Airlifted
A seriously-injured young man was eventually airlifted to St Mary’s Hospital, Newport by the Coastguard helicopter. Another person was taken by ambulance to the hospital after being landed at Cowes by Gosport lifeboat.
Another yacht, Cinnibar, also assisted with the yacht’s crew subsequently pulling some people from water.
A ‘dozen or so’ onboard
It is believed that there were originally a dozen or so people on the luxury motor-yacht. After the incident most of them were taken ashore by the Cowes and Gosport lifeboats.
Some of the motor-yacht’s occupants were taken to the lifeboat station to help recover from the incident, although several then decided to travel on to the hospital.
A police launch escorted the remaining few people on the motor-yacht into Cowes.
Investigation
An investigation is being carried out by the police and the MAIB (Marine Accident Investigation Branch).
The RIB was towed into Cowes by the Cowes RNLI lifeboat.
Our thoughts are with all involved.
Image: © With kind permission of Nick Edwards
Update: Removed references to it the man who dies being young, after his age was disclosed by police later.
