Boy dies in boat propellor tragedy (From Times Series)

Boy dies in boat propellor tragedy

12:15pm Saturday 21st July 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

A teenage boy has died after he fell from a boat and was apparently hit by its propellor, police say.

The 14-year-old from Surrey, who has not been named, was pronounced dead in hospital after the accident off The Needles landmark on the Isle of Wight.

The dead boy was on a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) with his father and two other boys when he fell off.

Another boy received non-life-threatening injuries when he too fell from the RHIB.

Police said the death is not being treated as suspicious.

The boy was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital by a Coastguard rescue helicopter.

Immediate next-of-kin have been informed, but police will not be in a position to confirm the boy's name until all formal identification procedures have been completed, a police spokesman said.

An initial post-mortem examination will take place in the next few days.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Floyd Higginson from Hampshire Police said: "Although the death is not being treated as suspicious, it is routine procedure for specialist detectives to make initial inquiries into the sudden death of someone aged under 18.

"We are providing support for the other three people on board the boat to help ensure their welfare, and to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the death."