Today's most viewed
| ECHO NEWS | |  | | | | | | | | FEATURES | | | | | | | SOUTHEND UNITED | | | | HEALTH | | | | | | | COMING UP IN YOUR ECHO | |
|
|
|
Updated: Teenager critical after yacht crash
A SCHOOLGIRL is fighting for her life following a horrific river accident.
The 14-year-old, from Langdon Hills, suffered severe injuries after she collided with a yacht while being towed on a rubber ring behind a speedboat during a family day out in Suffolk.
The girl, whose name has not been released, suffered a fractured skull, severe head injuries and a broken leg in the smash, on the River Orwell, near Levington Marina.
At the time, the area was packed with day-trippers and families enjoying the sunny weather.
She was taken to Ipswich Hospital and later transferred to Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, where she remains in a critical condition.
At present, details of the incident remain sketchy. Anne-Marie Breach, spokeswoman for Suffolk Police, said: "We are still trying to get to the bottom of exactly what happened.
"We would like to hear from anyone who may have seen the incident, at about 3.30pm on Sunday, to get in touch."
It is believed the teenager had been on a day trip to the harbour with her parents, who are now said to be keeping a vigil at her hospital bedside.
Jonathan Dyke, managing director of Suffolk Yacht Harbour, the firm which runs Levington Marina, said: "The girl was brought here by boat and the air ambulance landed here, though in the end the transfer was done by land."
Witness Damian Woodings, 60, from Lincoln, said: "The paramedics had to cut the wet suit off her, as far as I could see. It was very busy out on the water. There was no room to manoeuvre."
John Day, 65, from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, added: "I saw the helicopter land and the girl being carried on a stretcher. It looked like she was with her family."
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call 01473 613500.
Do you know the girl? Click on comment to leave your message of support for the family
5:08pm Tuesday 13th May 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: North london shrimper, enfield on 12:45am Tue 13 May 08
My Heart goes out to the family and would like to wish tjem all the best[bold]bold[/bold] [bold]bold[/bold]
My Heart goes out to the family and would like to wish tjem all the best
Posted by: kim on 1:18pm Tue 13 May 08
Steve, Julie and Sophie thinking of you all, be positive Rebecca will be ok, my thoughts are with you all ****
Steve, Julie and Sophie thinking of you all, be positive Rebecca will be ok, my thoughts are with you all ****
Posted by: Jordan & Sian Saunders, Brentwood on 5:33pm Tue 13 May 08
were always thinking of you no matter what
stay strong and stay special
we are praying for you beckie and your going to be okay soon :)
if you need any help with anything give us a ring and we are here straight away
love you always and forever xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
were always thinking of you no matter what
stay strong and stay special
we are praying for you beckie and your going to be okay soon :)
if you need any help with anything give us a ring and we are here straight away
love you always and forever xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Posted by: AJP on 5:35pm Tue 13 May 08
Really really sorry to hear of this. Our thoughts are with you Rebecca.
This will happen off Southend soon. Nowhere near enough patrols to slow the errant skiers, jetskis, speedboats etc as they whizz through the Ray showing off. Really want to be proved wrong on this one but we've all seen it coming for years.
Really really sorry to hear of this. Our thoughts are with you Rebecca.
This will happen off Southend soon. Nowhere near enough patrols to slow the errant skiers, jetskis, speedboats etc as they whizz through the Ray showing off. Really want to be proved wrong on this one but we've all seen it coming for years.
Posted by: chris m, basildon, essex on 6:53pm Tue 13 May 08
steve, julie and sophie,, im finkin bouy her evetry miniute of every day. i'm sure she is going to be ok, she is a strong girl and will pull through, i just know she will.
love ya loads!! xx
steve, julie and sophie,, im finkin bouy her evetry miniute of every day. i'm sure she is going to be ok, she is a strong girl and will pull through, i just know she will.
love ya loads!! xx
Posted by: tracey and fracesca, wickford on 7:17pm Tue 13 May 08
steve, julie and sophie
we're thinking of you all. keep strong
steve, julie and sophie
we're thinking of you all. keep strong
Posted by: the h, Hutton on 7:38pm Tue 13 May 08
I know u dnt like me but I hope u get beter lol get well soon
I know u dnt like me but I hope u get beter lol get well soon
Posted by: Nikki, Langdon Hills on 9:23pm Tue 13 May 08
i'm so so sorry to hear this news :(
My family and I are feeling for you, and hope you have a quick recovery!
We had such great memories from primary school which will never be forgotten!
Keep strong!
Loveyou lotss!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxx
i'm so so sorry to hear this news :(
My family and I are feeling for you, and hope you have a quick recovery!
We had such great memories from primary school which will never be forgotten!
Keep strong!
Loveyou lotss!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxx
Posted by: The Coventry's, Shenfield on 9:30pm Tue 13 May 08
We are thinking of you all at this terrible time. X
We are thinking of you all at this terrible time. X
Posted by: APR, Benfleet on 9:38pm Tue 13 May 08
[quote][bold]AJP[/bold] wrote:
Really really sorry to hear of this. Our thoughts are with you Rebecca.
This will happen off Southend soon. Nowhere near enough patrols to slow the errant skiers, jetskis, speedboats etc as they whizz through the Ray showing off. Really want to be proved wrong on this one but we've all seen it coming for years.
[/quote] It's a great shame accidents like this occur.
Going back quite a few years I used to water ski a lot. We abided by the rules of the sport and club members had to adhere to certain rules when driving boats. In the boat you always had a driver, and an observer. Everyone had to wear a lifejacket, and the boat owner had to be insured.
You still had to spend time avoiding those just out for a "bit of fun"
I hope the girl in question, recovers from her injuries.
AJP wrote:
Really really sorry to hear of this. Our thoughts are with you Rebecca.
This will happen off Southend soon. Nowhere near enough patrols to slow the errant skiers, jetskis, speedboats etc as they whizz through the Ray showing off. Really want to be proved wrong on this one but we've all seen it coming for years.
It's a great shame accidents like this occur.
Going back quite a few years I used to water ski a lot. We abided by the rules of the sport and club members had to adhere to certain rules when driving boats. In the boat you always had a driver, and an observer. Everyone had to wear a lifejacket, and the boat owner had to be insured.
You still had to spend time avoiding those just out for a "bit of fun"
I hope the girl in question, recovers from her injuries.
Posted by: Aishlin and Family, Ingatestone on 9:38pm Tue 13 May 08
To Beckie and Family! Stay strong!
Love and Best Wishes
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
x
To Beckie and Family! Stay strong!
Love and Best Wishes
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
x
Posted by: rebecca, Billericay on 7:23pm Wed 14 May 08
I don't think you would remember me from Great Berry, but as soon as i heard this news, i was so shocked, i wish you better and i know you will pull through this.
All my love to you and your family. x x
I don't think you would remember me from Great Berry, but as soon as i heard this news, i was so shocked, i wish you better and i know you will pull through this.
All my love to you and your family. x x
Posted by: Carla, Wickford on 5:39pm Fri 16 May 08
I dont know if you remember me but im one of sophies friends from Great Berry. I cant believe what happened, me and my mum really hope you recover quickly. Hope to hear from you soon x x x
I dont know if you remember me but im one of sophies friends from Great Berry. I cant believe what happened, me and my mum really hope you recover quickly. Hope to hear from you soon x x x
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
