A British international hovercraft racer killed in a crash at the sport's world championships had planned to make the event his last, a coroner has been told.
Daniel Newton, 42, a father of two who had devoted 30 years to the sport, had said he would be making his final appearance at the World Hovercraft Racing Championships last month in Sweden, the Manchester Evening News reported. The inquest into his death was opened and adjourned at Stockport Coroners' Court.
Mr Newton, an offshore wind turbine engineer from Romiley, Stockport, was said to be "highly regarded" on the world hovercraft racing circuit. He had been expected to be among the medal places at the championships in Flottsbro, near Stockholm, before tragedy struck in a qualifying heat.
His grieving family have paid tribute to a "respected and experienced professional" who truly loved the sport. In a statement, a family representative 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. 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 race on September 2 was being livestreamed to fans of the sport around the world. Events involve eight laps of a land and lake course and Mr Newton should have completed the race in between eight and 11 minutes. Crafts carry one person 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, assistant coroner Lauren Costello was told.
However, during the race the hovercraft experienced a problem. Mr Newton 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.
Coroner's officer Mr Wood said a post-mortem examination in Sweden gave the cause of death as "extensive injuries". There were no concerns of criminality or about the first aid arrangements that were available on the day.
Ms Costello set a provisional date for the full inquest next March. She also requested Foreign and Commonwealth Office reports and the reports from all 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: "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. 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 dependent 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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