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Police appeal for information after girl, 15, dies when boat collides with buoy in Southampton Water

Southampton water at Royal Victoria Country park shoreline. The tide is going out.
Southampton Water, where a 15-year-old girl was left dead when a RIB collided with a buoy. (Getty)

A 15-year-old girl has died after a boat collided with a buoy in Southampton Water.

Police said the Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RIB) was carrying 12 people when it was involved in a collision with a buoy between Netley Abbey and Hythe Pier at around 10.10am on Saturday morning.

The passengers were taken to hospital but one of them, a 15-year-old girl, was pronounced dead in hospital.

All of the other passengers received hospital treatment — some for serious injuries, police said.

Hampshire Police, which is investigating alongside the Maritime & Coastguard Agency and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, is appealing for anyone with any information or any video footage about the incident to get in touch.

Detective Superintendent Neil Corrigan said: “This was a tragic incident, and our thoughts remain with the young girl’s family at this difficult time.

“We are now building a picture of what happened on the water that day, and the circumstances leading up to this collision.

“It is important that we gather as much visual evidence as we can, as well as accounts from any witnesses.

“We know that there was a ferry heading towards East Cowes, Isle of Wight, which left Southampton at 10am. Were you on this ferry, and did you see or record any of this incident?

“Equally, were you out on the water on Saturday, 22 August between 9.30am and 10.30am, in Southampton Water between Netley Abbey and Hythe Pier?”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting Operation Orange, or submit evidence via: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/44HC20W09-PO1