Mast shock man dies

The boat was live for two hours after the accident

A man who suffered a massive electric shock when a boat mast hit an 11,000-volt power cable in Devon has died in hospital.

Peter Holt, 50, was left unconscious after the accident at Roadford Watersports Centre, near Okehampton, on Sunday.

He was taken to Plymouth's Derriford Hospital by air ambulance where he died on Wednesday night, a Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said.

Mr Holt, who was from Bodmin, and a 15-year-old boy were pushing a fibreglass boat towards the water when its mast struck the overhead power cable.

Suffered burns

The vessel remained live for the next two hours until Western Power Distribution was able to cut off the electricity supply.

A 72-year-old woman from St Austell suffered burns when she tried to pull Mr Holt away from the boat.

She is still being treated in hospital.

The teenager, from Launceston - thought to be a friend of Mr Holt - was admitted to hospital with shock but released the following day.

Western Power Distribution said in a statement: "The incident is still under investigation and our sympathy is with the family at this very sad time."

The accident is under police investigation and the coroner has been informed.

Roadford Watersports Centre is managed by the South West Lakes Trust.

It is used for sailing, windsurfing and canoeing.