Man dies in lake boating accident

The man died despite the efforts of air ambulance paramedics

A man has died and his daughter is critically ill after a boating accident on a Northumberland lake.

Emergency services were called to Kielder Water reservoir on Sunday afternoon and the two casualties were airlifted to hospital, police said.

Geoffrey Wilkinson, 52, and his daughter Victoria, 17, were in a boat which capsized. They were members of Kielder Water Sailing Club.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is investigating.

In a statement, Steve Gibbon, commodore of Kielder Water Sailing Club, said: "We can confirm that on Sunday, 12 July 2009 a tragic accident occurred on the water during a dinghy race at Kielder Water Sailing Club, in Northumberland, resulting in one fatality and one member in a critical condition.

"The prayers and hopes of all the members of KWSC are with Geoff's family.

"Following initial police attendance at the scene as is usual in these circumstances the club and the Royal Yachting Association are working closely with the authorities on a full investigation into the accident."

This is a tragic accident and our deepest sympathy is with the family Northumbrian Water

A spokeswoman for the MAIB confirmed a team had travelled to Northumberland from its base in Southampton and was carrying out a preliminary investigation.

Two helicopters from the Great North Air Ambulance Service were called to the scene of the accident.

Senior paramedic Jane Peacock said when they arrived the pair, from Kirkwhelpington, in Northumberland, had been lifted unconscious from the water by a rescue boat.

A GP who was sailing on the lake at the time treated the pair before the paramedics arrived.

They were flown in separate helicopters in an 11-minute flight to Newcastle General Hospital, where the man died.

Northumbrian Water, which owns the reservoir, said in a statement: "This is a tragic accident and our deepest sympathy is with the family.

Tourist attraction

"All clubs that operate on Kielder Water operate to Kielder Water rules.

"In addition, the clubs have their own rules and regulations and follow the Royal Yachting Association guidelines.

"We understand that a full investigation of the accident is being carried out."

Kielder Water is northern Europe's largest man-made lake, with a 27-mile shoreline.

It was officially opened by the Queen on 26 May 1982.

The reservoir was originally meant to supply water to the chemical and steel industries on Teesside.

But when they went into decline, the site made a successful switch to become one of the north-east of England's most popular tourist attractions.