A SKIPPER of a speedboat which capsized with five people on board has angrily denied claims that a child had been at the helm.

The party, including a 68-year-old grandmother, two children and two dogs, were seen screaming and floundering in water off the coast at Marchwood in Southampton Water.

Southampton Coastguard, Hamble Rescue and Southampton Harbour Launch all rushed to the incident, in which one of the dogs drowned.

One of the children was picked up by a passing jetskier.

On the boat was Mary Hankter, 68, Robert Smith, seven, Karl Smith, nine, "Tipper" Smith and skipper Paul Knight, from Breamore, near Fordingbridge in the New Forest.

Mr Knight declined to comment on the incident, but angrily denied coastguard claims that a child had been steering the boat.

Solent Coastguard spokeswoman Jennifer Taylor said the speedboat capsized when a boy was left in charge, just before 5pm on Saturday.

"I believe one of the boys was at the helm. Perhaps he wasn't supervised. He turned it too quickly."

She said she could not confirm who was or was not wearing a life-jacket or buoyancy aid.

Tipper Smith swam with one of the children to the shore. Paul Knight swam the 68-year-old grandmother to safety and the jet skier took the other boy and the two dogs to dry land.

And Jill Ormond from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "When people put to sea it is vital to observe safety measures."

An ambulance was at the scene and treated two of the party for shock.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.