The 47-year-old crashed on lap four of the offshore race event when, according to eye witnesses, Nocker's boat flipped and barrel-rolled after hitting two large waves in succession. He was taken to a military hospital in Gabon’s capital city, Libreville, but doctors were unable to resuscitate him. His Norwegian co-pilot, Kurt Olsen, was also badly hurt and remains in a critical condition with multiple fractures.

Will Nocker

Will Nocker



Niccolo di San Germano, President of H20 racing (the body responsible for organising the race), said: “We are all extremely saddened by this tragic racing accident. There are very few suitable words at a time such as this but we all send our heartfelt condolences to William's family.”

Nocker was an enthusiastic and successful competitor in the UK, racing in the Honda Formula Four Stroke Series between 2004 and 2006. But he had only just returned to competition after a five-year ban for tampering with an opponent's boat. Nocker's team-mate at the time, former European champion Rob Lister, was caught on CCTV pouring water into a fellow competitor's fuel tank before a race and both he and Nocker were banned for gross misconduct.

John Puddifoot, RYA Powerboat Racing Manager, said: “The RYA would wish to extend its sincere condolences to the friends and family of Will at this sad time.”

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.