Follow us
Tributes are being paid to a talented teenage boy who died after an incident at sea off the Isle of Wight.
Charlie Joseph Hutton, aged 14, of Surrey, was pronounced dead at Southampton General Hospital after falling overboard from a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) near The Needles on Friday, July 20, 2012.
The boat was travelling from Mudeford in Dorset to the Isle of Wight when two of the four people on board fell into the water and received injuries from the propeller.
The three other people on board the boat were Charlie’s father, Simon Hutton, aged 52, who was the driver and owner of the RHIB, and two other 14-year-old boys who were school friends of Charlie.
One of the other 14-year-old boys was also hurt when he fell into the sea. The boy was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital on the Isle of Wight to receive treatment for an injury, which was serious but not life threatening.
Charlie’s father and the third 14-year-old boy were not injured.
"Beautiful and Talented"
In a statement released through Hampshire Constabulary, Charlie’s parents, Simon and Gill Hutton said: "We are very sad to announce the death of our beautiful and very talented boy. Charlie, who loved the sea and water sports, was a schoolboy at Whitgift in South Croydon.
"His life touched many people and we know school friends will be devastated. Two of his closest friends were with him when he died and I hope they remember the great times and laughs we had with Charlie in his final few days in Dorset.
"Charlie was academically bright, an accomplished musician and an amazing field hockey player who had trained with the England under-15 team and had hoped to reach the England under-16 team this year, with the ambition of eventually playing for Britain in the Olympics in 2020. His effort, passion and self-belief would surely have taken him there. With Ashley Jackson as his hero on the field, we hope that this same passion will help Great Britain win gold this year for Charlie and the country."
"Our thanks go to all those who helped Charlie achieve such an incredible amount. We would like to hold a private event for family and friends to celebrate Charlie's life in the autumn when his school returns from the summer holidays."
Leave a comment!