A boating lake in which a teenager died in a jet-ski accident was a danger to the public, a court heard.

Faye Grundy, 17, of Benson, was riding pillion on the back of a jet-ski driven by her uncle, Tony Gee, when it veered into the path of a powerboat.

The schoolgirl, known as Smiley because she was always so happy, was thrown into the water, went under the powerboat, and was struck by the spinning propeller.

Her mother, Mandy Jones, and two sisters saw the accident at Queenford Watersports Centre, in Berinsfield.

It was the first time that Faye had ridden on a jet-ski. The family were celebrating the 15th birthday of Faye's sister Gemma.

She died in the ambulance with her mother at her side after suffering extensive stomach and leg injuries and losing a leg. The village of Benson was in shock after her death. Lord Thomas of Gresford, prosecuting, told Northampton Crown Court yesterday that no-one had carried out a proper safety check at the watersports centre. He said jet-skis and speedboats travelling in the opposite direction were separated by just three white buoys arranged in a single line.

Novices had to navigate a circuit of tight bends which brought them within a few feet of the boats, the court heard.

He told the court: "Not enough thought was given to safety. In a nutshell, this was an accident waiting to happen.

"The prosecution say the defendants failed to conduct their undertakings in such a way that people who used their facilities were not exposed to a risk to their safety."

Lord Thomas said Mr Gee, 37, who had never driven a jet-ski before, was given 20 minutes' training.

Mr Gee was arrested after the accident but the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to bring charges.

Three businessmen deny nine health and safety charges brought by South Oxfordshire District Council under Health and Safety legislation.

The charges in summary are that they failed to ensure Faye's safety and failed to carry out a risk assessment at the centre.

Stuart Ely, 34, of Millcourt, Cholsey, who owns the watersport centre, denies three charges. His company, Lakes Estates Watersports Ltd, denies two counts. His brother Michael, 36, of Woodcote, Reading, who runs the jet-ski hire business at the centre, denies two charges.

Gareth Booth, 32, of Queenford Lake, Berinsfield, who runs the waterski business and was driving the speedboat, denies two charges.

The trial continues.

Story date: Wednesday 17 November

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