The Daily Telegraph

Families ‘devastated’ after deaths of disabled pair in capsized boat

- By Daily Telegraph Reporter

TRIBUTES have been paid to two disabled people who died after a boat carrying care home residents capsized on a lake.

Alex Wood, 43, and Alison Tilsley, 63, were found dead after a search was launched when the motorboat capsized on Roadford Lake, near Okehampton, Devon, last week.

They were among six people who were thrown into the water on June 8.

Mr Wood and Ms Tilsley, who was known as Ali, were residents at the Burdon Grange care home in nearby Beaworthy.

In a statement, Ms Tilsley’s family said: “We are totally devastated by the loss of our beautiful Ali. She was the most kind, caring and loving daughter, sister and auntie. She was loved by everyone who ever met her.

“Her sunny nature, positivity, fantastic sense of humour and skill with words will be greatly missed. Our hearts are broken forever but the messages of love and support we have received are of great comfort.”

Four people were rescued from the water after the incident.

A woman in her 50s is being treated in Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, while another was discharged. The other two were pulled from the water and checked by paramedics before being discharged at the scene.

The owners of the care home where Mr Wood and Ms Tilsley lived spoke of their shock at their deaths.

In a statement, Stuart and Stephanie Kempton said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of two much-loved members of our community. Our thoughts are with the families, relatives and friends of the people who lost their lives, and with our residents and staff at our care home.

“Our thoughts are also with one of our residents, who remains in hospital, and their family.

“We would like to thank the emergency services for their swift response to the tragedy and their continuing support.”

Devon and Cornwall Police and the Marine Accident Investigat­ion Branch (MAIB) have opened investigat­ions.

The force is also liaising with the office of the Exeter and Greater Devon Coroner.

A spokesman for the coroner said “preliminar­y inquiries are ongoing at this time”.

Last week, the MAIB declined to comment on reports the victims were in wheelchair­s at the time, or if investigat­ors would look to determine whether they were strapped into the boat and were wearing buoyancy aids.

‘We are totally devastated by the loss of our beautiful Ali. She was the most kind, caring and loving daughter’

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