Power Boat Driver Arrested Over Watersports Centre Death

13 Sep 2010

A 22-year-old man was arrested and bailed following the death of an 11-year-old girl who was injured in an accident at a watersports centre, police said. Paramedics and police officers were called to the Princes Club in Clockhouse Lane, Bedfont, west London, at 5pm on Saturday. Mrie-Simone Cronje was taken to hospital where she died, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said. The girl, from London, was understood to have been on an inflatable banana boat ride when she fell off as the tow boat carried out a sharp turn. She suffered massive injuries, predominantly to the lower part of her body. Several people witnessed the tragedy, on Saturday afternoon, although it is unclear yet whether Marie-Simone was hit by the boat as it carried out a sharp turn or was caught up in the propellers or engine as it tried to stop or turn to rescue her. An immediate investigation was launched by the Metropolitan police and Maritime Accident Investigation Branch. The Specialist Crime Directorate is running the investigation.
more...