A HAMPSHIRE businessman accused of manslaughter in a boating incident sobbed as he was interviewed by police, a court heard.

Ryan McKinlay, a father-of-one from Gosport, died following the accident at Osborne Bay off the Isle of Wight on June 19, 2015.

Aaron Brown, who is chief operating officer of telecoms firm OneCom, of Botley Road, Curdridge, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court charged with the manslaughter by gross negligence of the 36-year-old.

As reported by the Daily Echo, Brown had taken a group of friends and associates on a trip from Swanwick Marina to the Isle of Wight on his jointly owned yacht called The True Blue.

Events took a tragic turn when Brown crashed a Williams 325 Turbojet, with Mr McKinlay onboard into the yacht.

Mr McKinlay died later that day in hospital, after suffering catastrophic internal injuries.

Giving evidence today at Winchester Crown Court, was PC Matthew Gransden, who interviewed Brown.

The court also heard he arrived at the scene and said the conditions on the sea were“choppy”.

Jurors were told how Brown voluntarily attended a police interview three days after the incident, and was accompanied by his solicitor.

In the interview, he was seen sobbing uncontrollably and answered questions with no comment, instead choosing to give police a statement.

The statement which was read out in court, said: “My friend Ryan McKinlay lost his life.

"He was one of my best friends and I have known him for over 20 years.

"I can’t believe he is not here and I am in shock.”

Later in the statement, Brown described his version of events.

It said: “There came a time when I piloted the turbo jet with Ryan as a passenger.

"An accident occurred when the jet came into contact with the boat.

"I remember being unable to breath, after the impact I do not remember what happened to Ryan.

The prosecution say that Brown drove the boat too fast and too close to the True Boat, and say the collision was avoidable.

Proceeding.