Tributes paid to doting father killed in speedboat accident

Tributes have been paid to Nick Milligan, the 51-year-old father killed in a tragic speedboat accident in the Camel Estuary near Padstow on Sunday (5 May).

Mr Milligan and his eight-year-old daughter died after they and four other members of their family were thrown out of the boat into the water. They are believed to have been hit by the vessel as it circled the vicinity.

Eye witness reports suggest the boat was out of control in water near to the harbour of the North Cornwall town.

A local man - named as Charlie Toogood, a water sports instructor - has been described as a hero after he was able to secure the motorboat, jump aboard and bring the vessel under control.

The other four members of the family are reported to have received leg injuries of various severities and were taken by helicopter to Plymouth's Derriford Hospital. Police report that two girls aged 10 and 12 (thought to be daughters Olivia and Amber) have minor injuries and are recovering well. There are no further updates on a 39-year-old woman and four-year-old boy, understood to be Nick Milligan's wife Victoria and son Kit, but it is believed that they both have serious, possibly life changing injuries.

Mr Milligans' brother, Max Milligan paid tribute to a devoted family man at a press conference on Monday (6 May):

“Nick, or Nicko as he was known to us, was an extremely loving father and husband, son and brother who doted on his family." he said.

“As children and teenagers we spent many summers and New Years’ Eves at New Polzeath here in Cornwall, and a few years ago he built his dream house above Daymer Bay.

“That he and my delightful niece died in their favourite place at the end of a gloriously sunny bank holiday weekend provides us with a tiny glimmer of light.

“I would like to thank Devon and Cornwall Police and all the staff at Derriford Hospital who have been incredible.

“May I ask the media to please respect the family wishes for their privacy at this very difficult time.”

The eight-year-old girl who has yet to be formally identified has not been named. Identification is expected towards the end of the week.

Det Supt Jim Colwell of Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends who are affected by this tragic incident.  I'd like to thank the members of the public who assisted with the rescue of the individuals in the water yesterday and all of the emergency services for safely and swiftly moving the casualties to Derriford. Everyone's assistance undoubtedly saved lives."

A joint investigation between police and coastguard is ongoing into the cause of the incident.

Tributes to Nick Milligan have also been paid by industry colleagues. A highly experienced and successful television executive, he was managing director of Sky Media, the company's sales division.

Supt Jim Colwell praised the efforts made by members of the public to assist the family: "If people hadn't come to their assistance in the manner they did, I'm confident that this incident would have been far worse in terms of the overall death toll" he said.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency issued the following statement on Sunday evening:

"Falmouth Coastguard was first contacted at 15.48 this afternoon reporting that six people had been thrown from a speedboat approximately half a mile off Padstow in the Camel Estuary. It was reported by members of the public that the boat was out of control and had struck a number of those in the water.

"The RNLI lifeboats from Rock and Padstow along with the search and rescue helicopters from RNAS Culdrose and RMB Chivenor were sent to the scene. St. Merryn, Newquay and Polzeath Coastguard Rescue Teams have also been involved.

"We do not believe at this time any other vessels, kayaks or people were involved in this incident, other than those that had fallen from the speedboat."

Police are continuing to investigate the incident and interview key witnesses. They report that a mechanical inspection of the boat has taken place in an effort to understand what led to the tragedy.

Police are appealing for anyone with photos or video footage to contact them.

Police are investigating the incident on behalf of the HM Coroner. It is a joint investigation with the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB). Police and the MAIB are also being assisted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

If anyone has any information about the incident, please call police on 101 quoting log 603 of 05/05/13.