Speedboat deaths 'distress' town

Robin Brechin, Isabella Fleming and Gordon Thomson died in the crash

Three people have been undergoing hospital treatment after a speedboat crash in which three others died.

One of the survivors, Iain Fleming from Dunoon, was said by his mother to be "devastated" at the death of his wife Isabella in the crash on Loch Fyne.

Mrs Fleming, 39, died along with dentist Robin Brechin, 48, and the owner of the boat Gordon Thomson, 42.

The head teacher at Dunoon Grammar School, where Mrs Fleming taught, said the town was "shocked and distressed".

Joe Rhodes said: "We are a close-knit community and the whole town will be affected by the news.

'Sorely missed'

"Our schools have only just broken up for the long summer break, and many children will be returning from holidays unaware that one of their teachers has died in this tragedy."

Mr Rhodes said Mrs Fleming was "highly regarded" by all who knew her.

"She was a very good teacher and very popular," he said.

The boat struck rocks near to Tarbert on Loch Fyne

"She will be sorely missed.

"Our thoughts are with the families of all those involved at this difficult time."

Mr Fleming suffered chest injuries when the boat smashed into rocks on Loch Fyne, near Tarbert, Argyll early on Sunday.

The partners of the other two victims were also admitted to hospital following the incident.

Mrs Brechin, from Strone, in Argyll, is in a serious but comfortable condition in Glasgow's Southern General Hospital.

There is no indication of what had happened, there was only one boat involved Stuart Atkinson Clyde Coastguard

Mrs Thomson, from Sandbank, in Dunoon, is in a stable condition in Mid Argyll Hospital and Mr Fleming is in a stable condition in Dunoon General Hospital .

Mrs Thomson's husband ran an insulation firm and outdoor activities business.

Mr Fleming, a father-of-two, runs the Olympian Bar Restaurant in Dunoon.

His mother Janette said: "Iain is as well as can be, considering he's lost his wife. He's just devastated. I saw him last night.

"We're all devastated, still in shock. I just can't take any more of this and I really can't bring myself to talk about it."

The couple, who were married for 17 years and have two children, had been due to go on holiday to Portugal on Wednesday.

The speedboat was thought to have collided with Candy Rock near the harbour as the friends were returning from a day out in Tighnabruaich.

Stuart Atkinson, watch manager at Clyde Coastguard, said: "We had reports from a yacht who had heard a loud crash, I think as it was entering East Loch Tarbert.

"A speedboat was found up on rocks, six people were involved and three were fatalities.

"There is no indication of what had happened, there was only one boat involved."

Local resident Rachel Brooks said the crew of the yacht tried to help.

She said: "We saw the yacht going out to the point where it was sinking and he put a rope onto the boat and slowly began to tow the boat in.

"The boat was sinking fast so speed was of the essence."

She said police and paramedics then took over and pulled the boat up onto the ferry slip.

An investigation involving the police and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch has begun.