Warning for boaters after disabled man drowns in Windermere lake
A safety warning has been issued after a disabled man drowned when his boat capsized on Lake Windermere in June.
Stephen Hague, 57, from Milnthorpe, fell into the water after his vessel was caught by a gust of wind.
The former police officer, who was left disabled after being hit by a drink driver 20 years ago, was pulled from the water near Bowness Pier.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident happened on 12 June, shortly after 12:45pm, and has sparked the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) to send out advice to yacht sailers.
Boaters are asked to make sure retractable keels - the flat blade sticking down into the water from a sailboat - and retractable weighted centreboards are secured while they are in use.
Report: Fatality resulting from the inversion of a craft with a retractable keel following a capsize
Investigations showed a Velcro strap, designed to secure the keel in the lowered position, was not in place at the time of the incident.
The windy weather resulted in the boat being heeled over to such an extent that the keel retracted entirely.
Joff McGill from the Royal Yachting Association
Stephen was a big supporter of Barrow and District Disability Association after he sought help while recovering from being hit by a car 22 years ago.
Just recently he backed proposals for a £250,000 expansion plan for the charity.