Charlie Hutton Pic: Hampshire Police

A 14-year-old Croydon schoolboy and talented junior hockey player who hoped to represent England in a future Olympic games has died after a tragic boating accident off the Hampshire coast.

Charlie Hutton died after being hit by the propeller of a boat being driven by his father off the coast between Dorset and the Isle of Wight.

The teenager and another fourteen-year-old fell into the sea in the accident last Friday. A third teenager was also on board the rigid hull inflatable boat, piloted by his father, Simon Hutton, 52, between Mudeford in Dorset and the Needles rocks.

Charlie, a student at Whitgift School in south Croydon along with the other two teenagers,  was taken to Southampton general hospital by the coastguard helicopter, but paramedics were unable to save his life. His friend suffered serious but not life threatening injuries.

A statement released by his parents described their son as a talented hockey player who dreamed of representing Great Britain at the 2020 Olympic Games.

The statement said: “We are very sad to announce the death of our beautiful and very talented boy.

Charlie, who loved the sea and water sports, was a schoolboy at Whitgift in South Croydon. His life touched many people and we know school friends will be devastated.

‘’Charlie was academically bright, an accomplished musician and an amazing field hockey player who had trained with England under 15 team and had hoped to reach the England under 16 team this year.

“ He had the ambition of eventually playing for Britain in the Olympics in 2020 and his effort, passion and self belief would surely have taken him there.”

Mr and Mrs Hutton, who live in Sussex, said they hoped to hold a private remembrance event for family and friends when his school reopened after the summer.

By Ufuoma Essi