12 Sep 2010

11-year-old girl killed in ‘banana boat’ accident

An 11-year-old girl has died after suffering fatal injuries in a boating accident at a watersports club in west London.

11-year-old girl killed in 'banana boat' accident

The Princes Club near Feltham, which named the girl as Marie-Simone Cronje, has closed for a police investigation which has seen the arrest of a 22-year-old man.

She is understood to have fallen off an inflatable craft being towed by a boat which then struck her.

The club, which claims to be Europe’s largest waterski and wakeboard facility, said: “Everyone associated with it is devastated by the accident that occurred on 11/9/10.

“At this terrible time our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Marie-Simone Cronje’s family and friends. The accident is being investigated by the police and other authorities and they can rely on our complete cooperation.

“At this moment in time, the matter being under investigation, we are not in a position to say anything further.”

Marie-Simone was taken to West Middlesex Hospital in Isleworth where she died, emergency services said.

The Met said officers from the Specialist Crime Directorate are investigating, alongside investigators from the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch (within the Department for Transport).

“At this early stage, we believe the girl was on an inflatable ‘banana boat’ which was being towed by a motorboat when she fell into the water,” the spokesman said.

“Inquiries continue to establish the full circumstances of the incident.”

Paramedics and police officers were called to the club in Clockhouse Lane, Bedfont, shortly before 5pm yesterday.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said a 22-year-old man was arrested following the death.

The spokesman said: “We were called to the Princes Club at 1700 yesterday. London Ambulance Service and South Central Ambulance Service also attended.

“An 11-year-old-girl was found seriously injured. She was treated and taken to hospital where she died.”

A post-mortem examination will be carried out, he added.

The arrested man, understood to be the driver of the boat, was released on bail, the Met said later.