Driver error contributed to fatal crash at Oulton Broad, coroner concludes
Powerboat racing at the site remains suspended following the incident
Driver error has been identified as a contributing factor in the high-speed crash that claimed the life of powerboat racer Brett Duncan at Oulton Broad near Lowestoft, Suffolk.
Brett Duncan, a 51-year-old experienced and skilled powerboat racer familiar with the course, collided with a steel-framed houseboat during a practice run for the Lowestoft and Oulton Broad Motor Boat Club Championship on 24th July last year.
Dr Daniel Sharpstone, Suffolk’s coroner, concluded that driver error played significant roles in the crash after reviewing substantial evidence, including video footage.
Peter Mantripp from the Circuit Powerboat Association asserted that Duncan's hydroplane was functioning normally and described Duncan as knowledgeable and experienced in powerboat racing.
Despite this, the hydrodynamic incident led to Duncan’s fatal head injuries, and a post-mortem confirmed his cause of death.
Jeni Jelf from the Circuit Powerboat Association noted that Duncan was not wearing a kill cord—a critical device designed to cut power to the engine in emergencies—which may have been a factor in his distraction at the time of the incident.
During the hearing, Coroner Dr Sharpstone expressed his gratitude to the witnesses, saying, "He was a friend, a colleague, someone you all knew well. I’m sure the trauma has affected you all."
He also extended his condolences to Duncan's family, acknowledging their pain: "I'm not unaware of how painful this all must be—thank you for your contributions, my deepest condolences."
As powerboat racing remains suspended at Oulton Broad, East Suffolk District Council and the Broads Authority have not approved activities on the water, leading the local motorboat club to cancel its 2026 season.