Brett Duncan: inquest conclusion after the Oulton Broad crash
The newsroomUpdated on October 27, 20263 minThe Suffolk coroner has given his conclusion on the death of powerboat racer Brett Duncan, 51, at Oulton Broad: driver error contributed to the fatal collision.
Key point
On 27 October 2026 the coroner concluded that driver error contributed to Brett Duncan's fatal collision at Oulton Broad, without establishing its exact nature.
The Suffolk coroner gave a narrative conclusion on Tuesday 27 October 2026 on the death of Brett Duncan, a 51-year-old British powerboat racer from Martlesham Heath. According to Powerboat News, he died on 24 July 2025 at Oulton Broad, Lowestoft, when his hydroplane struck a moored houseboat. The coroner found that driver error probably contributed to the collision, although its exact nature remains uncertain.
What happened at Oulton Broad
Brett Duncan was racing in round nine of the LOBMBC championship, run by the local motor boat club. The crash happened around 18:49 according to the coroner, on the final practice lap, in overcast weather on calm water. Video shows him looking over his left shoulder as another boat passed him without incident, before he left the course and hit the houseboat.
The houseboat was about 74 metres from the buoy marking the edge of the course, while the CPA rule calls for 50 metres. The cause of death was a severe head injury.
What the inquest established
- Speed: about 70 mph on the approach to the houseboat, against a top speed of about 90 mph.
- Timing: estimates of the time between leaving the course and the collision range from three to six seconds, depending on the party.
- Possible causes: Jeni Jelf, who led the investigation for the CPA, identified 13. She settled on driver distraction, probably linked to the kill cord not being attached to his wrist, which his wife also said.
Equipment and safety
The hydroplane, built in May 1991 from marine plywood, belonged to a friend of the driver. After a test on 19 June 2025 it was judged hard to steer; a steering damper was fitted and the steering was checked and found normal. A scrutineer checks every boat before a race, but it is for the driver to judge whether the boat is fit to race. A safety briefing is compulsory, and ambulances, first-aiders and divers attend meetings.
A 2026 season without racing
The club suspended racing straight after the crash. The 2025 season was cancelled, and the club has confirmed there will be no racing for the rest of 2026. Racing has taken place at Oulton Broad since 1903; the two previous fatal accidents, in 1988 and 1992, involved very different boats. The houseboat's owner wants hydroplanes to stop racing on the Broad.
The editorial team will follow what comes next.
Frequently asked questions
What did the coroner conclude about Brett Duncan's death?
A narrative conclusion: Brett Duncan died after his hydroplane collided with a houseboat outside the circuit, and driver error contributed, although its exact nature is uncertain.
When and where did the crash happen?
On 24 July 2025, around 18:49 according to the coroner, at Oulton Broad in Lowestoft, Suffolk, during round nine of the LOBMBC championship.
Has racing resumed at Oulton Broad?
No. The club suspended racing after the crash, the rest of the 2025 season was cancelled and there will be no racing for the remainder of 2026.
Sources
- Powerboat News — Brett Duncan Inquest: Coroner Gives Narrative Conclusion
- Powerboat News — Brett Duncan Inquest: Day 1 Round-Up
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
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