Yacht club pays tribute to member killed during race

THE  Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club will conduct a tribute race tomorrow in honour of club member David Booth, 72, who was killed on Saturday.

Screen grab from 7 News. Man killed, another injured in yacht crash – Pittwater Saturday, 27 February 2016 04:47:41 PM Police are investigating the death of a man and serious injury to another man in a yacht crash in Sydney’s north. About 2.30pm (Saturday 27 February 2016) police and Ambulance Paramedics were called to a yacht club on Mitala Street, Newport, after reports two yachts collided during a yacht race in Pittwater. One man died at the scene. The other man has been airlifted to Royal North Shore Hospital with severe leg injuries. No ages on the two men are available at this stage. Police from Marine Area Command are conducting inquiries into the incident and a report will be prepared for the Coroner. The yachts have been towed from the scene of the crash and will be subject to forensic examination.

THE  Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club will conduct a tribute race tomorrow in honour of club member David Booth, 72, who was killed in a freak accident during a race on Pittwater on Saturday.

Fellow club member Bill Stevens, also 72, was severely injured in the collision ­between the yachts Pacesetter and Emily at a rounding buoy off Clareville. Mr Booth and Mr Stevens were aboard Pacesetter .

One of Mr Stevens’ legs was severely injured and he lost a lot of blood before being rescued from the water by other sailors.

David Booth

The club’s commodore, Ian Audsley, posted a notice on the club’s website to break news of the tragedy to club members.

“I know that we will all share in the shock of this ­incident and that the entire club is in mourning at this time,” he said.

“In the same incident, Billy Stevens sustained a ­serious leg injury and he spent most of (Sunday) night in surgery.

“We understand that his condition at this stage is stable.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Suellen and David’s family and with Billy’s wife Di and their family.”

It is understood Mr Booth had been a member of the club for more than 30 years.

Both yachts were towed from the scene for forensic examination.

Police from Marine Area Command are conducting inquiries into the incident and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Club chief executive officer Susan Davies said club members were in shock following the incident.

She said fatalities in inshore yacht races were virtually unheard-of.

“David was a regular at the club and raced at least twice week,” she said.

“He was a well-loved member.

“It’s come as a real shock to all the members of the club and ours is a very sad club at the moment.”

She said the regular Wednesday race will be held as a tribute in his honour.

“No doubt there will be plenty of reflection at the club after the race, where all his friends will be assembled,” she said.

“It’s been a pretty traumatic time for both families and for those involved on both the boats involved and the crews of all the other boats in the race.”