Boat-tragedy teenager dreamed of playing hockey in Olympics

The parents of a 14-year-old boy who died after he fell from a boat and was apparently hit by the propeller have described him as a talented hockey player whose ambition was to compete in the Olympics.

Charlie Hutton was enjoying a ride on the boat driven by his father from Mudeford, Dorset, to the Needles landmark off the Isle of Wight when the accident happened on Friday afternoon.

It appears Charlie and one of his friends, who was also 14, fell into the sea. The friend suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries.

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Police said there were no suspicious circumstances but they were investigating how the two boys ended up in the water.

A third boy, also aged 14, and Charlie’s father Simon Hutton, 52, who owned the rigid hull inflatable boat managed to stay on board. All four are from Surrey, police said.

Charlie was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital by coastguard helicopter but could not be saved.

The other injured boy was taken to shore by RNLI lifeboat and then to St Mary’s Hospital on the Isle of Wight.

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In a statement released through police, Charlie’s parents Simon and Gill Hutton said: “We are very sad to announce the death of our beautiful and very talented boy.

“His life touched many people and we know schoolfriends will be devastated.

“Two of his closest friends were with him when he died and I hope they remember the great times and laughs we had with Charlie in his final few days in Dorset.

“Charlie was academically bright, an accomplished musician and an amazing field hockey player who had trained with the England under-15 team and had hoped to reach the England under-16 team this year, with the ambition of eventually playing for Britain in the Olympics in 2020.

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“His effort, passion and self-belief would surely have taken him there.

“With Ashley Jackson as his hero on the field, we hope that this same passion will help Great Britain win gold this year for Charlie and the country.

“Our thanks go to all those who helped Charlie achieve such an incredible amount.”

Police will prepare a file for the coroner, who has been informed. HM Coastguard has notified the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.