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Race goes on after dinghy death Race goes on after dinghy death
(about 3 hours later)
Organisers of a dinghy championship on the Llyn Peninsula have decided to continue with the event after the death of a competitor from Northern Ireland.Organisers of a dinghy championship on the Llyn Peninsula have decided to continue with the event after the death of a competitor from Northern Ireland.
The man who died was aged 49 and from Banbridge, County Down, but North Wales Police will not release more details until all his relatives have been told. Timothy Atkinson, 48, from Banbridge, County Down, had recently retired after completing 30 years of service as a police officer.
Inquiries continue into Monday's death at the Laser 4000 National Championship in Tremadoc Bay, near Abersoch.Inquiries continue into Monday's death at the Laser 4000 National Championship in Tremadoc Bay, near Abersoch.
It is thought he became trapped in a capsize. A second crew member survived.It is thought he became trapped in a capsize. A second crew member survived.
A minute's silence was held at 1000 BST and a black flag raised as a mark of respect for the man. A minute's silence was held at 1000 BST and a black flag raised as a mark of respect for Mr Atkinson.
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. In a statement, the Laser 4000 Class Association and South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club said the incident happened at approximately 1430 BST on Monday.
A collection raised at the minute's silence will be donated to the RNLI.
Capsizing is part of the sport and particularly in an event like that the competitors are experienced James Stevens, RYACapsizing is part of the sport and particularly in an event like that the competitors are experienced James Stevens, RYA
"Mr Atkinson traveled to the event from County Down, Northern Ireland, with friends whom he had sailed with before," read the statement.
"The deepest sympathy is extended to all his family and friends by the class association and the yacht club."
The association also thanked all safety boat crews, the Abersoch lifeboat and the paramedics that treated Mr Atkinson.
Earlier, the association had announced its decision to go ahead with two races in the championships on Tuesday.
A collection raised at the minute's silence will be donated to the RNLI.
A joint investigation is being conducted by North Wales Police and Holyhead coastguard.A joint investigation is being conducted by North Wales Police and Holyhead coastguard.
James Stevens, safety spokesman for the Royal Yachting Association, said it would also be involved in an investigation, along with the Marine Accident Investigation Branch. James Stevens, safety spokesman for the Royal Yachting Association, said it was "very, very unusual for something like this to happen at that kind of event".
"Capsizing is part of the sport and particularly in an event like that the competitors are experienced, " Mr Stevens said."Capsizing is part of the sport and particularly in an event like that the competitors are experienced, " Mr Stevens said.
He said all competitors would have personal bouyancy aids and safety boats would be on hand for any emergencies.He said all competitors would have personal bouyancy aids and safety boats would be on hand for any emergencies.
'Real shockwave''Real shockwave'
"These weren't beginners, these were competitors in a national championships so they'd know what to do with a capsize, and how to right a boat and get it back again."These weren't beginners, these were competitors in a national championships so they'd know what to do with a capsize, and how to right a boat and get it back again.
"It is very very unusual for something like this to happen at that kind of event and we will be looking at it very closely in co-operation with the police and also possibly the Marine Accident Investigation branch to see exactly how this incident happened." "We will be looking at it very closely in co-operation with the police and also possibly the Marine Accident Investigation branch to see exactly how this incident happened."
I have never heard of an accident in this bay ever - to have one now is a sad, sad moment Richard Tudor, yachtsman
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."
Local councillor Hywel Wyn Williams described it as "a very tragic accident", the first sailing accident at Abersoch in over half a century.Local councillor Hywel Wyn Williams described it as "a very tragic accident", the first sailing accident at Abersoch in over half a century.
"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." "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. Mr Atkinson and the woman sailing with him were rescued just before 1515 BST on Monday.
I have never heard of an accident in this bay ever - to have one now is a sad, sad moment Richard Tudor, yachtsman
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 and paramedics tried to resuscitate the man.The air ambulance was called and paramedics tried to resuscitate the man.
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. "I have never heard of an accident in this bay ever - to have one now is a sad, sad moment," he said.