A television executive killed in a speedboat accident acted out of character when he grabbed the controls of the powerful vessel, resulting in him, his wife and their four children plunging into the water, an inquest heard.
The inquest jury found that Nick Milligan and his eight-year-old daughter Emily died as a result of an accident off the Cornish coast. It judged that Milligan and Emily were struck by the boat after it circled around the family because a “kill cord” which should have shut down the power was not being used.
Captain Mike Evans, an inspector from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), said Milligan, 51, acted out of character and was normally “safety conscious and prudent”. He said because it was the first trip of the year in the boat Milligan’s familiarity with its handling would have been reduced.
Evans said an MAIB investigation found both Milligan and his wife, Victoria, had the relevant training to operate a powerboat and knew how to use a kill cord. But Evans said the fact neither were wearing the safety device contributed to the outcome.
Milligan’s brother, Mark, called for a review in the training speedboat drivers were given as he said “life threatening events” were occurring more regularly.
Addressing the coroner, he said: “We need to look at the difference between the training qualifications and licences held in other countries around Europe as opposed to just here in the UK. The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) courses are voluntary, as opposed to compulsory like in other countries.
“The power of some leisure craft are such that in certain circumstances there can be life threatening events that take place. The organisations need to take things more seriously than they have in the past. Powerboats are more powerful than they used to be, incidents have more devastating effects than ever before.”
Dr Emma Carlyon, the Cornwall coroner, said she would use her powers to recommend that training was looked into. She said: “My intention is to write to the RYA to ask them to consider, if need be, whether it is appropriate to review the advice given for the level of training required for powerboats.”
Reading from the record of inquest, the jury foreman said: “On May 5 2013, the deceased were in a motorboat on the Camel Estuary. At approximately 3.46pm they were ejected from the boat with all the other occupants following a high-powered turn. The boat continued to circle repeatedly as the kill cord was not in use. The boat collided with them, causing fatal injuries.”
Ms Milligan told the inquest that she had not attached the kill cord to her leg because she was only planned to drive it a short distance to its mooring. But she said her husband grabbed the wheel with his right hand and accelerated.
