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Father of two dies after high-speed boat crash


A doting South Australian father of two has died in hospital following a high-speed boat crash on Saturday.

Dale Ashton was one of two men fighting for their lives after two speed boats collided during a ski race event in Robe, on the state’s Limestone Coast.

South Australian father-of-two Dale Ashton has died in hospital following a high speed boat crash on Saturday. Source: 7 News
South Australian father-of-two Dale Ashton has died in hospital following a high speed boat crash on Saturday. Source: 7 News

The young father of two little girls was an observer in a boat that spun out of control and crashed into another vessel at a qualifying event for the World Water Ski Racing Championships, just after 2pm Saturday.

Witnesses said one vessel was sent “flying into the air”.

Dale Ashton’s wife Sarah called her late husband her “best friend and the best Daddy” to their two little girls. Source: 7 News
Dale Ashton’s wife Sarah called her late husband her “best friend and the best Daddy” to their two little girls. Source: 7 News

Both men were airlifted to hospital, but sadly Mr Ashton succumbed to his injuries and died three days later.

The boat’s driver Ben Hacket remains in a stable condition at the Flinders Medical Centre.

Witnesses said one boat was sent “flying into the air” during the crash. Source: 7 News
Witnesses said one boat was sent “flying into the air” during the crash. Source: 7 News

Two others in the second boat suffered minor injuries.

Police have seized GoPro vision from both boats as they investigate how they may have crashed, causing the Gawler pair’s small aluminium vessel to overturn.

Ski Racing Australia has launched its own formal injury into the tragic incident. The organisation will make its findings known before its next event in 10 days’ time, in Victoria.

The boat’s driver Ben Hacket was flown to the Flinders Medical Centre where he remains in a stable condition. Source: 7 News
The boat’s driver Ben Hacket was flown to the Flinders Medical Centre where he remains in a stable condition. Source: 7 News

Dale Ashton remembered as ‘the best Daddy’

Mr Ashton’s widow Sarah paid tribute to her late husband, calling him her “best friend and the best Daddy” to their two little girls.

“Ski Racing Australia extends its deepest sympathy to Dale’s family, extended family and friends and ask their privacy be respected in this difficult time,” the organisation said.

Fellow boaties have expressed their condolences on social media, with one man describing the pair as “two of the nicest young blokes in ski racing”.

Many said the young dad was “gone too soon”.

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