Sailor crushed to death when yacht falls over as he cleans it
A SAILOR was crushed to death when his three-ton yacht fell on him as he carried out maintenance and cleaning on a dockside.
Company director Kevin Keeler, a father of five, was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering terrible injuries from the 29ft craft.
Mr Keeler, 56, had bought his £10,000 boat Ginny Kwik three months ago and was looking forward to spending the summer at sea.
Police and safety inspectors have launched an inquiry into Monday’s tragedy at Weymouth Sailing Club in Dorset.
The yacht had been sitting in a metal frame with its hull raised 3ft off the ground.
Health and Safety Executive investigators are expected to look at whether one side of the metal cradle buckled or collapsed.
Mr Keeler, a keen sailor since his teenage years, lived near the club’s yard in a mews property with partner Tatiana Saltykova.
In an emotional tribute Tatiana, who had been with him for two years and bought the boat with him, said: “Kevin was passionate about sailing and a well-loved member of the Weymouth his sailing community. He loved his children. He was my best friend and a wonderful partner. I will miss him dearly.”
One fellow club member said yesterday: “He was a lovely fellow, a really nice guy who was complimentary about everybody else’s sailing technique. He was always one of the first to volunteer and happy to help out with anything at the club.
“This was his first boat, which he only bought in January. He’d sailed it around but took it out of the water recently to get it cleaned up. It’s terribly sad.”
Club commodore Euan McNair said: “He was coming up to a year of membership and it’s tragic what has now happened. Everybody here is very shocked and our thoughts go out to his relatives.”
Mr Keeler, a software engineer who launched his own business, was working on the 38-year-old glass fibre Westerly GK29 in the club yard at Weymouth harbour.
Since the accident it has remained slumped over on one side with a police cordon round it.
Mr McNair added: “The boat was out for two weeks’ maintenance in which it was given a general cleanup and a few minor repairs.
“My understanding is that wasn’t being moved. The yard effectively shut down.”
A spokesman for Dorset Police said they were told of the lunchtime accident by the ambulance service.
He added: “The Health and Safety Executive has been notified and an investigation is under way.” it is