Powerboat racing suspended after driver's death

A motor boat club has temporarily suspended powerboat racing after a driver died.

Brett Duncan, 51, was fatally injured on Thursday after a crash with a stationary houseboat during a competition at Oulton Broad in Suffolk.

Lowestoft & Oulton Broad Motor Boat Club had another powerboat event scheduled for this Thursday, but said it had decided to halt racing while investigations took place.

A spokesperson for the club offered their "heartfelt sympathies" to Mr Duncan's family.

In a statement, the club said it would "temporarily suspend racing activity on Oulton Broad" until a preliminary report into the crash had been published.

"Whilst we appreciate that this news will be disappointing, we would like to reiterate to everyone that this is a standard response to incidents of this nature whilst initial investigations are being carried out," it added.

"We are hopeful that once the relevant facts have been established and all stakeholders are satisfied, the temporary racing suspension will be reviewed and normal activities can continue."

A spokesperson for the government's Marine Accident Investigation Branch said it was making preliminary enquiries "to better understand the circumstances" around the crash.

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