Teenager praised for bravery in boat explosion

A 16-year-old girl has been praised for her response to a boat explosion at the marina where she works.

Olivia, from Maidenhead, ran to the aid of two men on board the boat when it exploded while moored at Bourne End Marina, Buckinghamshire.

One of the men on board, Kevin Healy, 80, from Sheffield, said she had been “extremely brave”.

“We got through it without a hitch and Olivia was a big part of that,” he said.

Mr Healy said he and a friend planned to sail to Marlow on Tuesday, June 18, and fuelled the boat in the usual way.

“As I turned the key, the engine started… and about two seconds later there was an absolutely violent explosion with immediate fire,” he said.

Mr Healy managed to free himself but his friend was thrown backwards and Olivia, who was cleaning a boat nearby, “very gallantly and without any regard for her own safety”, ran to help him.

She later brought a cold towel for Mr Healy's friend to apply to his burns.

“It was very kind,” Mr. Healy said.

Olivia, who works part-time at the marina, said she had her headphones on at the time of the explosion, “which is quite lucky”.

“A man had already gotten off the boat and I helped the other man out of the boat,” she said.

She said she acted on instinct, adding: “I think anyone would have done it.”

But Mr Healy disagreed, saying “a lot of people would have just run away”.

“She showed extraordinary courage in coming immediately, without regard for her personal safety, to help me and others,” he said.

Both men are now recovering from their injuries.

The boat that exploded was a Chris Craft Corsair 25, which can be worth up to £120,000.

The fire also spread to a nearby boat, which is estimated to be worth around £40,000.

Thames Valley Police said they were investigating the incident but “evidence found indicates it was an accident”.

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