Two men have died following a boat fire on the River Avon near Pulteney Bridge in Bath. The small GRP cabin cruiser, which was moored at the famous beauty spot by the towpath opposite Bath’s Rugby Stadium, was still burning when emergency services were called at around 0620 on 15 April 2012.

The River Avon

The River Avon



The boat was a typical cabin cruiser style of craft with accommodation toward the bow and a raised wheelhouse area aft. Steven Phelps, 42, from Stratton St Margaret in Swindon, died at the scene. Another man, aged 30 and also from Swindon, was taken to hospital with severe burns after the blaze but has also since died. Investigations into the causes of this tragic incident are ongoing.

Written by: Alex Smith
Alex Smith is a journalist, copywriter and magazine editor with a long history in boating and a happy addiction to the water. He’s worked on boats, lived on boats, bought boats, sold boats and – when he’s not actually on board a boat – he can generally be found in his Folkestone office, tapping away at the computer and gazing out to sea.