Roadford Lake boat capsizing: Latest from Marine Accident Investigation Branch amid 'tragic' deaths

Investigators have visited the scene of a "tragic" boating accident in Devon which left two disabled people dead.

Four others were rescued from the water after the incident, which happened on Roadford Lake near Okehampton at around 1.30pm on Wednesday (8 June).

Two people were treated at the scene while two others were taken to Derriford Hospital. One person has since been discharged while a woman in her 50s remains in a critical condition.

A huge search was launched for the two missing people - a man in his 40s and a woman in her 60s - but sadly their bodies were recovered from the water around 24 hours after the incident.

In a statement issued today (10 June), The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said is investigating the 'tragic accident'.

The Government agency said two disabled people were missing during the search, but has declined to comment on reports the victims were in wheelchairs at the time.

It also refused to say if investigators would look to determine whether they were strapped into the boat or were wearing buoyancy aids.

The MAIB said: "Our current focus is on gathering as much evidence as possible. This will include everything from the events on the day through to the boat’s design and construction.

"We are carrying out a safety investigation that will seek to establish the circumstances and causes of the accident and identify ways of preventing a similar accident occurring in the future.

"All lines of inquiry are open and being examined. Front and centre are considerations about whether any urgent safety information needs to be issued to the industry and operators.

"It is too early to say anything more, but if we do identify the need for urgent safety messages, these will be issued without delay."

Devon and Cornwall Police is also investigating. Superintendent Toby Davies said: “This has been a tragic incident in which two people have lost their lives.

“We continue to support all of the families involved with the deployment of specialist family liaison officers and our thoughts remain with those families at this difficult time.

“The parallel investigations will look at the circumstances surrounding the incident with the MAIB in addition identifying ways to prevent a similar incident occurring in the future.

“These investigations have already seen liaison with HM Coroner and we would expect this to progress further during the next week.”