The survivor of a powerboat crash in which one man was killed said today he realised how lucky he is to be alive.
Dan Whapples was speaking at the funeral of Mike Lovell - it's the first time he's talked about the accident which happened on the final day of the racing season last month.
Today more than 1000 people turned out to pay their respects.
Click below for the full report
The team mate of a powerboat pilot who was killed during a race has spoken for the first time about what happened.
Navigator Dan Whapples, from Warsash in Hampshire, suffered multiple injuries but survived the crash which killed Mike Lovell at the National Powerboat Championships in Weymouth.
In an emotional interview at Mike's funeral today Dan said he wished that Mike had been given a second chance too.
See his interview in full here.
A powerboater seriously injured in a crash which killed his team mate is out of intensive care.
Dan Whapples remains in Southampton General Hospital but continues to improve.
He was injured in the incident in Wemouth Bay during a race last Sunday.
His team mate Mike Lovell, of Southampton, suffered multiple injuries and died in hospital.
Mr Whapples, of Warsash, has been visited by a number of the other racers in the P1 SuperStock Championship during his recovery.
Powerboat racer Dan Whapples, who was seriously injured in a race that killed his driving partner on Sunday, is showing signs of improvement although he remains in intensive care in Southampton General Hospital, race organisers said.
The Royal Yachting Association, the national body for powerboat racing, has confirmed it will be conducting a full investigation into the incident, in which a boat flipped over during the race in Weymouth Bay.
Driver Mike Lovell, from Southampton, later died from his injuries.
He and navigator Whapples, from Warsash, were taking part in a national powerboat racing championship.
Race organisers Powerboat P1 said they will co-operate fully with the appointed panel.
Tributes have been paid to powerboat racer Mike Lovell who died after sustaining serious injuries in an incident while competing in Weymouth on Sunday.
Messages have been posted on Twitter and Facebook to the 27-year-old from Southampton.
Mike's team-mate, Dan Whapples has undergone surgery at Southampton General Hospital, where he is reported to be in a stable condition.
VIDEO: A powerboat crew member remains in a serious condition in hospital after the craft flipped over during a race in Weymouth Bay. Navigator Dan Whapples suffered multiple injuries in the accident which killed pilot Mike Lovell.
Andy Sargent of the RNLI at Weymouth describes the rescue operation
The owner of a powerboat team has paid tribute to a driver who lost his life after an accident yesterday.
Mike Lovell received fatal injuries during the final round of the P1 SuperStock UK Championship in Weymouth yesterday.
Brookspeed team owner Martin Braybrook said:
“Mike Lovell always wanted to be a motor mechanic since the age of 14.
He joined Brookspeed in 2005 and quickly established himself as a vital member of the team in his position of Workshop Manager & Race Engineer, and thought nothing of working through the night if an engine needed rebuilding.
He had a warm and engaging personality, and was able to form a rapport with Brookspeed customers – often going that extra mile.
He was always keen to learn and grow his vast knowledge, and could pretty much turn his hand to any engine.
When the opportunity arose for him to be involved in the amateur racing he embraced it whole-heartedly, jumping at the chance to pilot the boat.
He loved every second of it – living his dream.
Mike was very popular and much loved by his colleagues and his peers in the motor racing community.
He touched the lives of many during his short time, and we all feel stunned at his loss.
There is nothing that can salve this great sadness, and love and thoughts go to his family and friends.
Mike, I miss you immeasurably."
A powerboat racer from Southampton has died after his craft flipped over during a race, organisers said.
Mike Lovell, from Southampton, suffered multiple injuries in the incident in Weymouth on Sunday.
He was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital but race organiser P1 SuperStock confirmed he died overnight. His navigator, Dan Whapples, also from Southampton, remains in a serious but stable condition.
The pair were competing in the national powerboat racing championship in Weymouth Bay when the crash happened. This new footage shows the pair competing just before the crash.
"Peters & May's thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of Mike Lovell at this tragic time. We would also like to express our very best wishes to Dan and his family while we await news about his recovery."
