Updated: Teenager critical after yacht crash

5:08pm Tuesday 13th May 2008

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A SCHOOLGIRL is fighting for her life following a horrific river accident.

The 14-year-old, from Langdon Hills, suffered severe injuries after she collided with a yacht while being towed on a rubber ring behind a speedboat during a family day out in Suffolk.

The girl, whose name has not been released, suffered a fractured skull, severe head injuries and a broken leg in the smash, on the River Orwell, near Levington Marina.

At the time, the area was packed with day-trippers and families enjoying the sunny weather.

She was taken to Ipswich Hospital and later transferred to Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, where she remains in a critical condition.

At present, details of the incident remain sketchy. Anne-Marie Breach, spokeswoman for Suffolk Police, said: "We are still trying to get to the bottom of exactly what happened.

"We would like to hear from anyone who may have seen the incident, at about 3.30pm on Sunday, to get in touch."

It is believed the teenager had been on a day trip to the harbour with her parents, who are now said to be keeping a vigil at her hospital bedside.

Jonathan Dyke, managing director of Suffolk Yacht Harbour, the firm which runs Levington Marina, said: "The girl was brought here by boat and the air ambulance landed here, though in the end the transfer was done by land."

Witness Damian Woodings, 60, from Lincoln, said: "The paramedics had to cut the wet suit off her, as far as I could see. It was very busy out on the water. There was no room to manoeuvre."

John Day, 65, from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, added: "I saw the helicopter land and the girl being carried on a stretcher. It looked like she was with her family."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call 01473 613500.

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