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Death crash boatman says sorry.

From the Falmouth Packet, first published Friday 8th Jun 2007.

THE helmsman of a powerboat which ploughed into the side of a Dory on the Carrick Roads killing the driver and injuring his two passengers has apologised for his actions.

Philip Colver faces one charge of manslaughter and one of causing grevious bodily harm following the death of popular Roseland gig rower Ben Cochrane in July 2005.

Colver admitted at his trial at Truro Crown Court that it was stupid to set off from St Mawes to Falmouth having drunk too much alcohol and too fast.

In his first appearance in the witness box Colver, 32, from the Isles of Scilly, said he thought about the accident everyday and wished to say sorry to Mr Cochrane's friends and family.

Earlier the judge had instructed the jury to acquit him on one of the GBH charges as the injuries received by one of Mr Cochrane's passengers, Chay Richardson were not serious enough to warrant the charge.

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