Report Blames Poor Maintenance for Boat Capsize

The tragic drowning of two wheelchair users, Alex Wood and Alison Tilsley, during a boat trip on Roadford Lake in Devon on June 8, 2022, has been attributed to a maintenance failure of the wheelyboat they were using. A report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) revealed that the vessel was not watertight due to degraded seals that had not been regularly inspected, allowing water to leak in and causing the boat to capsize. Both victims were strapped into their motorised wheelchairs and were dragged to the bottom of the lake, highlighting severe lapses in safety procedures and oversight. The MAIB expressed concern that no one had adequately assessed the risks involved in operating the wheelyboat for vulnerable individuals. The report calls for urgent changes to safety standards and oversight in such charitable activities to prevent future tragedies. The Roadford Lake Activity Centre has temporarily ceased the use of wheelyboats while reviewing the report and considering recommendations for future operations.