Man drowns in Bank Holiday dinghy accident after wife tips over boat trying to retrieve rucksack from water

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Peter Jordan, 62, and wife Nancy, were thrown from the small dinghy in an estuary as they headed to their yacht in bad weather.

Coastguards say Nancy dropped her rucksack in the water but as she leaned out to grab it the boat flipped over - tipping them in.

They were hurtled through freezing 12C fast-flowing water for an hour before Nancy was pulled out by passerby Brett Watkins, 16, who threw her a lifebuoy.

Tragic: Peter Jordan drowned in Cornwall this weekend

But her husband could not be found and after an extensive search by coastguards and the RNLI, his body was found floating in the water.

Hero Brett told how he spotted the woman overboard after dark on Saturday evening, while fishing with friends on the seafront in Saltash, Cornwall.

He said: "She was floating face up and not moving. It was getting dark but I threw in a lifebelt and pulled her to the side.

"She was shivering but she could just about speak. She said she had been in the water about an hour and her husband was still in there."

The couple, of Gunnislake, Cornwall, had abandoned a sailing trip and returned to a pontoon in the fibre glass dingy to unload their belongings.

But Peter decided to return 'Morwenna' to a mooring further up the River Tamar in Cornwall and the dinghy capsized near a bridge at round 9pm on Saturday.

A spokesman for Brixham Coastguards said: "Apparently she dropped a rucksack into the water, leaned over and the boat capsized.

"Both casualties were recovered from the water. The male was pronounced dead at hospital shortly after."

The couple were members of Saltash Sailing Club and a spokesman said Peter was an "experienced" yachtsman.