Oulton Broad powerboat racer crashed at 70mph, inquest told

A coroner’s inquest heard that powerboat racer Brett Duncan, 51, was traveling at about 70mph (113km/h) when he crashed on Oulton Broad on 24 July last year. Duncan was on a practice run during an international competition, driving his hydroplane when it struck a houseboat owned by Jaki Beech. The boat’s steel frame withstood the impact, but Duncan suffered fatal head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The court heard that only six seconds elapsed between Duncan leaving the course and hitting the houseboat. Technical expert Peter Mantripp said Duncan did not turn “as much as he needed” to avoid the collision.