A world-renowned and much-loved hovercraft racer from Stockport died in a tragic crash at the World Hovercraft Racing Championships in Sweden. Tributes are being paid to 42-year-old father-of-two Daniel Newton, a racer and hovercraft engineer with 30 years' experience. An inquest into his death has now been opened and adjourned.
Mr Newton, from Romiley in Stockport, was described as an 'avid' hovercraft enthusiast who performed at world championship level in the highest class of formula one. He was said to be 'highly regarded' on the world hovercraft racing circuit.
His grieving family, meanwhile, paid tribute to a 'respected and experienced professional' who truly loved the sport. In a statement to the Manchester Evening News , a family spokesperson said: "Daniel was incredibly caring, mischievous, kind and loving. Adored by his family and friends, passionate about his work - he was a well respected, trusted, experienced professional.
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"He had been an active member of the Hovercraft Club of Great Britain for over 30 years, competing in events worldwide, and truly loved the sport. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but his legacy will continue through his children and family."
The inquest opening at Stockport coroners' court was told this year's world championships, held over two days in Flottsbro, near Stockholm in Sweden, was going to be his last. Tragically, the crash happened as his seven-year-old son watched from a lakeside bank, the inquest heard.
Mr Newton, who worked as an off-shore wind turbine engineer, was widely expected to secure a podium place, it was said. He travelled to Sweden with his young son and they were staying there in chalets, police coroner's officer David Wood told the hearing.
Events involve eight laps of a land and lake course and Mr Newton should have completed the race in between eight and 11 minutes. It's understood the crash happened during a qualifying heat.
Crafts carry one person only and racers wear helmets and life jackets, the inquest heard, with coastguards and lifeguards stationed both on the land and in the lake. Mr Newton's hovercraft developed a problem the day before the race concerned but as an accomplished engineer who also designed crafts, he was able to fix the issue.
The race itself - on September 2 - was being live-streamed 'around the world', assistant coroner Lauren Costello was told.
The inquest heard that during the race his hovercraft developed a mechanical problem. Mr Newton is said to have slowed down from a speed of 70mph and manoeuvred but a competitor from Germany could not slow down and hit the side of Mr Newton's hovercraft.
He was thrown into the air before hitting the water in the collision. He was confirmed dead at the scene later following the attendance of an air ambulance. Police coroner's officer Mr Wood said a post-mortem examination in Sweden gave a cause of death as 'extensive injuries'. The inquest heard there are 'no concerns' of criminality or about the first aid arrangements that were available on the day.
Assistant coroner Ms Costello set a provisional inquest date for next March. She also requested Foreign and Commonwealth Office reports and the reports from all subsequent investigations in Sweden ahead of the full hearing.
In a post on its website, the World Hovercraft Federation said: "It is with deep regret that we have to inform you that following a racing incident between two craft at our World Championships in Sweden Daniel Newton, number 21, was seriously injured and, tragically lost his life.
"Unfortunately the efforts of our marshals and paramedics were to no avail. We ask the family are given space and privacy at this devastating time for them."
In a Facebook post, Tony M Drake, president of the World Hovercraft Federation, said Mr Newton's family flew over to Sweden in the aftermath. He said: "As you will know by now our friend and racing colleague, Daniel Newton, sadly lost his life following a racing incident at our world championships in Sweden. Our thoughts are with his family at this tragic and sad time.
"It will be of some consolation to know that Daniel did not suffer in anyway. From an informal and provisional medical report, he was unconscious and pain free from the moment of the incident and passed away very shortly afterwards.
"Daniel was dearly loved and cared for by many communities - at work, his extensive group of friends, hover clubs around the world but first and foremost by his family.
"As you would expect the World Hovercraft Federation will be investigating this fatal accident together with the way we responded to it. This may take some while as we will, in part, be dependant on the police report and accident investigation which may take some time to obtain, but rest assured we will keep you informed.
"To return to where I started, this was a tragic event and our and my condolence go to Daniel’s family and friends."
The Hovercraft Club of Great Britain hosted tributes on Facebook after posting an image of Mr Newton's racing number. Racing teams across the country posted messages of condolence to his friends and family.
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