by Jenni Horn

The parents of a man who was killed in a power boat race at the weekend have spoken of their grief.

Alex Edmonds, 41, of Grain Road, Lower Stoke, died while taking part in the annual Dover Regatta on Saturday.

His parents, Ron and Josephine Edmonds were there to support their son in his first ever competitive race and watched the tragedy unfold from the seafront.

Ron, 67, said: “I was on the west pier watching it through a pair of binoculars.

“I didn’t see the collision but I knew there had been an accident. I saw the police towing the boat Alex was in and I could see a paramedic on board and another man leaning over the passenger side trying to give someone oxygen.

“As it got closer I was certain it was Alex, so I made my way to where they were towing the boat ashore. They were just pulling him up on to the beach when I arrived.”

Emergency crews fought to save his life but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ron and Josephine have described his as a "wonderful son who loved the sea".

Josephine added: “He has been messing about with boats all his life.”

Alex leaves behind a daughter Olivia, aged six.

Full story in Friday’s Medway Messenger.