THE Christchurch company whose boat was involved in a fatal crash said there was no problem with its safety cord.

The police investigation into the death of television executive Nick Milligan and his eight-year-old daughter Emily in Cornwall is centring on why the kill cord, right, did not turn off the engine before they were killed.

Steve Arkell, owner of Cobra Ribs in Christchurch, which made the boat, said their own early enquiries have found the safety cord – connecting the ignition to the driver and designed to “kill” off the power in the event of a crash – was not faulty.

Steve said: “We know the kill cord was working.

“It was a tragic accident.”

Mr Milligan was a 51-year-old BSkyB sales boss from London and is believed to have bought the speedboat from a dealer in Cornwall a year ago.

His wife Victoria, 39 and their three other children Amber, 12, Olivia, 10, and Kit, 4, were injured in the crash when they all fell into the water on Sunday.

Waterskiing instructor Charlie Toogood jumped on to the Cobra Rib from another boat and turned it off before more injuries were caused as it went around in circles.

Steve added: “We know the boat was stopped by him pulling out the kill cord.

“It does appear that tragically this could have been avoided and was tragic for the family concerned.”

Steve said Cobra Ribs, also known as APV Marine Ltd at Priory Industrial Park, has an excellent safety record with more than 1,000 boats produced over 20 years.

He said they provide a two-hour handover session with new owners to go over the boat’s operations, maintenance and safety, including how to use the kill cord.