Weymouth powerboat crash: Mike Lovell dies from injuries

Mike Lovell (left) and Dan Whapples had to be rescued from the water near Weymouth Town Beach
A powerboat racer has died after his craft flipped over during a race in Dorset.

Mike Lovell, from Southampton, suffered multiple injuries when his boat crashed in Weymouth, on Sunday.

Despite being airlifted to Southampton General Hospital, race organisers P1 SuperStock confirmed had Mr Lovell died overnight.

His navigator Dan Whapples, also from Southampton, remains in a serious but stable condition.

The pair were competing in the national powerboat racing championship in Weymouth Bay when the crash happened, at about 14:30 BST.

'Barrel-rolled'

Portland Coastguard said Mr Lovell and Mr Whapples had to be rescued from the water, near Weymouth Town Beach and the harbour.

Shelley Jory-Leigh, of BBC Radio Solent's H20 show, was commentating at the event and saw what happened.

"Unfortunately the boat just got caught up in the wash of the other boats - that's what happens with powerboat racing - and it barrel-rolled," the former powerboating world champion said.

"The drivers got thrown clear of the boat. It's like a Formula 1 car spinning off."