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Dinghy sailor death investigated Race goes on after dinghy death
(about 2 hours later)
Investigations are continuing after a man died competing in a national sailing event off the Lleyn Peninsula. Organisers of a dinghy championships at Abersoch on the Llyn Peninsula have decided to continue with the event following the death of a competitor.
It is thought the man's dinghy capsized and trapped him underneath in the race at Abersoch, Gwynedd on Monday. Inquiries into the death at the Laser 4000 National Championships in Tremadoc Bay, near Abersoch, are ongoing.
A woman competing with him in the Laser 4000 National Championships in Tremadoc Bay was rescued. It is thought the sailor became trapped in water during a capsize. A second crew member survived.
Police and coastguards are investigating the incident, and event organisers are to meet later to discuss if the event should continue. A minute's silence was held at 1000 BST and a black flag raised as a mark of respect for the man yet to be named.
Local councillor Hywel Wyn Williams said the officials had a "very tough" decision to make. South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club said it had been a difficult decision but they had decided to go ahead with two races in the championships on Tuesday.
"It is a very tragic accident and I'm sure everybody's sympathies are with the family and next-of-kin," he said. A collection raised at the minute's silence will be donated to the RNLI.
Mr Williams said this was the first sailing accident at Abersoch in over half a century.
""There's a very safety conscious team here at Abersoch. Since 1951 we have held these events and this is the first time this has happened."
All of us who sail these kinds of boats are deeply shocked by this. It sends a real shockwave through the sport. James Stevens, Royal Yachting AssociationAll of us who sail these kinds of boats are deeply shocked by this. It sends a real shockwave through the sport. James Stevens, Royal Yachting Association
"It's tragic, but I'm sure a lot of hard work goes into these events," he said, adding that sailing took pride of place in Abersoch. Councillor Hywel Wyn Williams described it as "a very tragic accident", the first sailing accident at Abersoch in over half a century.
The man who died and his fellow competitor were rescued from the sea by a safety boat just before 1515 BST and then transferred to the Abersoch inshore lifeboat. "There's a very safety conscious team here at Abersoch," he said. "Since 1951 we have held these events and this is the first time this has happened."
The man who died and the woman sailing with him were rescued just before 1515 BST on Monday.
Danielle Rush, spokeswoman for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, said: "I believe the man and the woman were in the same dinghy which capsized, but details are very sketchy."Danielle Rush, spokeswoman for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, said: "I believe the man and the woman were in the same dinghy which capsized, but details are very sketchy."
The air ambulance was called to Abersoch where paramedics tried to resuscitate the man. The air ambulance was called and paramedics tried to resuscitate the man.
'Deeply shocked''Deeply shocked'
A joint investigation is being conducted between North Wales Police and Holyhead coastguard. A joint investigation is being conducted by North Wales Police and Holyhead coastguard.
Police spoke to a number of competitors and spectators who may have witnessed the incident, as well as the safety boat and lifeboat crews. North Wales Police spoke to a number of competitors and spectators who may have witnessed the incident, as well as the safety boat and lifeboat crews.
James Stevens, safety spokesman for the Royal Yachting Association, said they would be involved in an investigation, along with the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, into what happened. It's very difficult. I have never heard of an accident in this bay ever - to have one now is a sad, sad moment James Stevens, RYA
Mr Stevens said competitors taking part in the event "were not beginners" and would normally know what to do in the event of a capsize. James Stevens, safety spokesman for the Royal Yachting Association, said they would also be involved in an investigation, along with the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.
Mr Stevens said competitors in the event "were not beginners" and would normally know what to do in the event of a capsize.
He added; "All of us who sail these kinds of boats are deeply shocked by this. It sends a real shockwave through the sport."He added; "All of us who sail these kinds of boats are deeply shocked by this. It sends a real shockwave through the sport."
'Rare occasion'
The Laser 4000 Class Association and South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club will meet on Tuesday to decide whether or not to continue with the championships, which began on Saturday.
On Monday, they issued a statement confirming the sailor's death and extending their "deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the competitor".
Thirty eight dinghies, each crewed by two people, were taking part in the competition.Thirty eight dinghies, each crewed by two people, were taking part in the competition.
Championship yachtsman Richard Tudor, who lives at Llanbedrog near Abersoch, said it was "a very rare occasion" that there was an accident in the sailing world and they were more common among water bike and power boat competitors.Championship yachtsman Richard Tudor, who lives at Llanbedrog near Abersoch, said it was "a very rare occasion" that there was an accident in the sailing world and they were more common among water bike and power boat competitors.
"It's very difficult. I have never heard of an accident in this bay ever - to have one now is a sad, sad moment," he said."It's very difficult. I have never heard of an accident in this bay ever - to have one now is a sad, sad moment," he said.