Rider hurt in water bike accident

The accident happened between the piers as sunbathers looked on

The rider of a water bike was seriously injured when the craft was in collision with a jet boat, sending it smashing into the windscreen of a speed boat.

The water bike rider, a London man in his 30s, received injuries to his arm, which needed stitches after Saturday's accident with the hired jet boat.

Two people on the anchored speed boat received minor injuries.

The accident between the Brighton piers prompted a warning from the coastguard about the dangers of powered crafts.

"Due to the high speeds capable by these craft, accidents can and do happen very quickly," said a spokesman.