THE navigator of a powerboat that crashed at high speed in a race was last night “showing signs of improvement” in hospital.

Dan Whapples, pictured, from Warsash, suffered serious injuries in the crash that killed his driver, Mike Lovell, from Southampton .

Mr Whapples was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital after Sunday’s accident off Weymouth, Dorset, and remains in intensive care.

The pair were taking part in the national powerboat racing championship for the Eastleigh -based Peters & May team, run from Brookspeed’s Southampton workshop in Empress Road.

A report has already been made to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, while The Royal Yachting Association has confirmed that it will be conducting a full and independent investigation.