The bodies of two missing people were retrieved from Lake Roadford, near Okehampton in Devon, about 24 hours after the boat capsized yesterday. A third person, a woman in her 50s, remains in critical condition at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. Devon and Cornwall Police and the Maritime Accident Investigation Department (MAIB) have now launched an investigation into the incident. Devon and Cornwall Police Commissioner Toby Davis said: “It was a tragic incident in which two people lost their lives. “We continue to support all the families involved in the deployment of special family liaison officers and our thoughts remain with these families at this difficult time. “Parallel investigations will look at the circumstances surrounding the incident with the MAIB, as well as identify ways to prevent a similar incident in the future. “These investigations have already been linked to the medical examiner and we expect this to go further next week.” Six people were on board when it capsized at about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. Two people were taken to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, where one remains in critical condition and one has been discharged. The other two were pulled out of the water and checked by paramedics before being discharged to the spot. All the people on board were natives of Devon, the researchers said. “All lines of inquiry are examined” The MAIB did not respond to reports that the victims were in wheelchairs at the time or that investigators would look into whether they were tied to the boat and wearing hoists. A spokesman said: “Our research is in its early stages and our current focus is to gather as much data as possible. “All lines of inquiry are open and under scrutiny.” The South West Lakes Trust, which operates the lake near Dartmoor, has said its operations will remain closed until further notice. Roadford Lake Sailing Club said: “Our thoughts are also with the staff of the center who did some heroism to minimize the loss. “We would also like to thank the emergency services that were present, who provided support to the coast and spent a lot of time doing search and rescue on the water.” Bob Tolley, the mayor of Okehampton, said: “We all think of these poor families involved and our condolences to everyone.”
