Runaway boat 'like Jaws'

Mr Douglas-Johnson died shorlty after the incident

Visitors to a boat show have told a court howthey attempted to rescue a man struck by the propeller of a speeding boat.

Southampton Crown Court has heard how Tristan Douglas-Johnson died after he was hit by the rigid inflatable boat (Rib) at the Southampton International boat show.

Andrew Bowden from Victoria Road in Topsham near Exeter, Devon, is accused of failing to ensure the boat's engine kill-cord safety device was attached to Kelly Stone - a friend of Mr Douglas-Johnson.

The charge of failing to ensure the safety device is in operation is an offence under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.

It was a bit like Jaws, like it had eyes, it kept coming back round towards us

David Andrew, boating enthusiast

The court was told that Mr Douglas-Johnson, 20, and his friend Miss Stone were having the "Arimar" Rib boat demonstrated to them by Mr Bowden on 22 September 2000.

Miss Stone was allowed to try her hand at the helm.

She put the boat into full throttle, causing her, Mr Douglas-Johnson and Mr Bowden, 33, to be thrown into the water.

David Andrew, a boating enthusiast, from Oldham in Greater Manchester, was in another Rib nearby when the three fell from their vessel.

Boat crash

He told the court of his horror when he saw the runaway boat heading towards the three people in the water.

He described how his boat demonstrator, Robin Pratt, pulled his boat into the path of the out-of-control Rib to prevent it from hitting Mr Bowden and Miss Stone, but causing it to crash into his own boat.

He also described how they pulled Mr Bowden and Miss Stone from the water before pulling Mr Douglas-Johnson into his boat, at which point he realised Mr Douglas-Johnson was badly injured.

The court was told Mr Douglas-Johnson, a marine engineer, died shortly after attempts to revive him at a pontoon at the boat show.

Ribs were on display at the show

Mr Andrew said: "The boat was coming closer and closer towards us.

"We pulled the girl and Mr Bowden into the boat but then the Rib came on top of us and sheered the radio-arch off the base of the boat.

"I thought I was going to die because I knew the engine was next.

"It was a bit like Jaws, like it had eyes, it kept coming back round towards us, still at full throttle.

"The last thing I remember is the guy in the water saying 'get me out, get me out'."

John Bonney, who was demonstrating another Rib, said he was surprised when he saw Mr Pratt steer his boat to intercept the runaway Rib.

Unforgettable

He said: "Robin did something you should never do because you teach self-protection, he headed his boat in the path of the other boat and I was absolutely amazed to see this boat riding on the back of his boat.

"It hovered there, it was jammed there for what seemed ages but was probably seconds.

"When it went into a straight turn I thought everything was all right but I will never ever forget this guy in the water.

"I just couldn't believe it, the boat just hit the guy, I will never ever forget."

The case continues.