Powerboat racing suspended after driver's death

Brett Duncan looks away from the camera. He has short dark hair and wears glasses with a black polo top. Image source, Circuit Powerboat Association
Image caption,

Brett Duncan died in a collision during a powerboat race

  • Published

A motor boat club has temporarily suspended powerboat racing after a driver died.

Brett Duncan, 51, was fatally injured on Thursday after a crash with a stationary houseboat during a competition at Oulton Broad in Suffolk.

Lowestoft & Oulton Broad Motor Boat Club had another powerboat event scheduled for this Thursday, but said it had decided to halt racing while investigations took place.

A spokesperson for the club offered their "heartfelt sympathies" to Mr Duncan's family.

A general view of the Oulton Broad marina. Boats and yachts rest in the water.Image source, Shaun Whitmore/BBC
Image caption,

The collision happened on Thursday at Oulton Broad in Suffolk

In a statement, external, the club said it would "temporarily suspend racing activity on Oulton Broad" until a preliminary report into the crash had been published.

"Whilst we appreciate that this news will be disappointing, we would like to reiterate to everyone that this is a standard response to incidents of this nature whilst initial investigations are being carried out," it added.

"We are hopeful that once the relevant facts have been established and all stakeholders are satisfied, the temporary racing suspension will be reviewed and normal activities can continue."

Three powerboats whizz towards the camera on a choppy river, with marsh and trees in the background. The three drivers wear orange helmets.
Image caption,

The Powerboat World Championships, pictured in 2023, at Lowestoft and Oulton Broad Motor Boat Club

A spokesperson for the government's Marine Accident Investigation Branch said it was making preliminary enquiries "to better understand the circumstances" around the crash.

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