Boat accident inquiry starts

The boat was 'live' after the accident

An investigation has begun after a man was seriously injured when his boat mast hit overhead power cables at a lake in Devon.

The middle-aged man is still being treated in intensive care at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth after the accident at Roadford Watersports Centre, near Okehampton on Sunday.

The man and a teenager, who was treated for shock, were pushing a fibreglass boat towards the reservoir when the accident occurred.

A woman in her 70s was badly burned when she tried to help pull the man away from the boat.

Thoughts for victims

Evelyn Stacy, director of South West Lakes Trust, said: "We are currently undertaking a thorough investigation so we can understand what happened and the circumstances surrounding the incident.

"We are very much thinking about the three people involved, and their families."

The boat remained live for about two hours after the incident until Western Power Distribution were able to isolate the electricity supply.

The Health and Safety Executive has been informed.

Officers from Devon and Cornwall Police are also carrying out inquiries at the South West Lakes Trust reservoir, which is used for sailing, canoeing and windsurfing.