New warnings issued after tragic boating deaths
Fresh warnings over ‘DIY’ work and the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning have been issued following the deaths of a Leyland mum and her daughter.
Kelly Webster, 36, and her 10-year-old daughter Lauren Thornton died in April 2013 during a family boating holiday in the Lake District.
The pair were found unconscious inside a private yacht, and a post-mortem found they suffered carbon monoxide poisoning.
Now, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released a detailed report following an investigation into the tragic incident.
It found that a portable generator was the source of the carbon monoxide emission, which are “usually supplied with warnings that they should not be used in enclosed spaces or be modified.”
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The branch is now advising that all new recreational boats should be fitted with carbon monoxide sensors, and has issued a warning about the dangers of people modifying parts of their boats.
The report said: “During the course of the MAIB investigation into this accident, it was found that a number of boat owners on Windermere had installed portable generators in enclosed spaces.
“Many had installed the generators themselves.
“There are numerous systems on board boats that, regardless of a boat owner’s engineering and mechanical skills, should only be installed, maintained or modified by a qualified marine engineer.”
- The boat’s owner, a 41-year-old man from Leyland, is due to face trial charged with manslaughter.