DORSET sailor Andrew Simpson has been killed in an accident in America, it has been confirmed.

Mr Simpson, from Sherborne, was trapped under a catamaran after it capsized during an America's Cup training exercise in San Francisco. 

The 2008 Olympic Star class gold medallist was part of an 11-man crew on board the Artemis Racing vessel but, despite efforts from medics afloat with the Swedish team, the 36-year-old could not be revived after being freed from the wreckage.

Affectionately known as “Bart” after the television character, Andrew Simpson caught the sailing bug when he was a young boy, while visiting his grandparents in Christchurch.

He took to the waves with his parents when he was just four or five in their Sea Flyer boat, according to the Royal Yachting Association (RYA).

Commodore of Christchurch Sailing Club, Lawrence Crapper said it was a "tragic day" for the sailing community.

Although Mr Simpson had never been a member of the club, he said the Olympic sailor had visited two or three years ago.

"He sailed a finn here at that time and a few of the youngsters met him", Mr Crapper said.

"I didn't meet him personally but everyone said how nice he was.

"Everyone I have spoken to is shocked at the news.

"They (Simpson and sailing partner Iain Percy) were so unlucky at the Olympics last year to miss out on a gold."

Mr Simpson, who won a Star silver medal alongside Iain Percy at the London 2012 Games in Weymouth, was working as a strategist for Artemis.

In a statement, Artemis Racing said: "It is with immense sadness that Artemis Racing confirms the tragic death of crewmember Andrew "Bart" Simpson today in San Francisco."

John Derbyshire, performance director of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) said: "We're devastated by the news from San Francisco today.

"Andrew is someone I've worked closely with since the age of 16. He was a great talent and a key figure in our World Class Programme over many years culminating in his well-deserved Olympic success.

"He was a huge inspiration to others, both within the British Sailing Team and across the nation and our deepest sympathies go out to his family at this terrible time."

Bournemouth Echo: Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson during the Sailing Olympic Test event at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy at Portland, Dorset

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Tributes to two-time Olympian Andrew Simpson have poured in from the world of sailing and beyond.

A statement from the America's Cup Oracle team read: ''Today is a sad day for all of us in the sailing community. Andrew Simpson was a great person, a terrific sailor, and a good friend to all of our team.

''Our thoughts are with his family and the entire Artemis team. He will be dearly missed.''

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and British Sailing Team said they were ''devastated'' to confirm Simpson's death while sailing the 72ft yacht yesterday.

Stephen Park, RYA Olympic manager, added: ''Andrew was a fantastic sailor who got the best out of everyone he sailed with.

''He was much loved and will be sorely missed by everyone in our close knit team. Our thoughts today are with Andrew's family.''

And Sherborne's Olympic gold medal-winning shooter, Peter Wilson ‏tweeted: "Struggling to come to terms with Andrew Simpson's death. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. #ALocalHero". 

Andrew Simpson visited Ferndown First School on a number of occasions, and head Jo Di-Pede said the whole school was saddened to hear of his death.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Andrew Simpson and our thoughts are with his family,” she said.

“He was a friend of Ferndown First School and such a positive role model for our pupils, representing our core values.

"He visited our school several times and was very popular with the whole school community. We will be supporting our staff and pupils through this difficult time.”