Bristol sailor dies after being swept overboard in Round the World Race

A sailor has died after being thrown overboard while taking part in the Clipper Round the World Race.

Simon Spiers, from Bristol had been taking part in the international yacht race when he was washed over the side of his boat during gale force winds on Saturday.

The 60-year-old, a retired solicitor, was pulled back on board by crew mates but never regained consciousness. He is believed to have drowned after spending 36 minutes in the water.

According to a statement from Clipper, Mr Spiers was sailing for Great Britain on board the CV30 and was in sixth place when they hit trouble in the Indian Ocean.

A Clipper spokesman said: "Simon was an highly experienced sailor with over 40 years dinghy experience and a Coastal skipper licence.

"His next of kin have been informed and our deepest thoughts are with his family and all those who knew him."

Clipper said a full investigation will be carried out, as is standard practice, into the full details of the incident, including the reasons his safety tether did not keep him on board.

All other crew members were reported safe.