A doctor told yesterday of how he battled in vain to save power boater Stuart Smith after his unconscious body was brought ashore.

Consultant Paediatrician Peter Perinchief said he had watched the race from the terrace during lunch at Coral Beach, but he knew Mr. Smith was in big trouble the moment he saw him.

He said: "There was a man laying there with his leg dangling over the side of the boat.

"I was about 30 yards away but I could see his face was very grey and there was something very wrong so I went down immediately.

"He was unconscious. As he was being lifted out, the surf was pushing the boat in and out. It wasn't exactly the easiest job.

"I held his hand and it was cold. It wasn't a good sign. I started mouth to mouth resuscitation but his eyes were fixed and dilated - another bad sign. There wasn't any pulse.

"We tried for five to seven minutes but there was absolutely no response.

"From the moment I started I felt it wasn't going to be successful.

"There wasn't any water coming from his lungs which lead me to believe he never had another breath before he hit the water."

As Dr. Perinchief worked on the mouth to mouth his friend, Scott Culver, administered CPR. He said: "It was sad our efforts were not good enough.

"I feel depressed. You hope in a situation like this you can do something for somebody.

"We did the best we could but he was already gone. A life ended in a matter of minutes.

"It's a risky sport but I don't think they should ban it. All these guys know exactly what they are doing when they get into it.

"It seemed like the ambulance took a long time but I understand there were several other accidents."

Dr. Perinchief said the ambulance was on the scene within ten minutes.

But he added: "I don't think it would have made any difference.

"The pathologist might say something different but my guess is he broke his neck. His condition when he arrived was very grave.

"It's a great tragedy. He looked in good shape, fit. It's very sad.

"I have no idea of the time line. It will have to be pieced together by the pathologist and the Police.

"When did the accident happen? How long before he was he in the water and how long did it take to get to the shore?"

He said the race boats had been taking off as they sped through the water.

"The only thing in the water was the rotor.

"Some of the boats were flipping from side to side and then coming down with a real whop. It was not a calm sea going at those speeds."