A RECORDS Week competitor defied death when his record-breaking boat crashed at 100mph sending him catapulting over Coniston Water.

Frenchman Christian Del Castillo survived the spectacular high-speed smash unscathed on Wednesday in a scene that brought back memories of Donald Campbell's fatal 1967 crash, reports Ellie Hargreaves.

The disastrous run, which destroyed the hull of his catamaran, came after Mr Del Castillo clinched a new national record at the annual boating event.

He had returned to the water with a new propeller in place in the hope that he could go one better than the 119.38mph record he set in the S2000 class.

Robin Brown, the chairman of Records Week - which was being held on Coniston Water for the first time in its 36-year history after the 10mph speed limit was imposed on Windermere - said: "He never got as far as the timing course but he must have been travelling at a speed somewhere in the region of 100mph. The boat flew up in the air so it was spectacular to see. "The problem was he got himself going too quickly, too soon and he was all out of position. It was down to driver error, and he was the first to admit that.

"Apart from a bruised leg he wasn't hurt. The boats are designed with safety in mind. Plus he has crashed while racing in the past so he knew what to expect and swam to a nearby rescue boat.

"He was shaken up but I don't think it's put him off taking part in Records Week - he's already ordered a new hull so he can come back next year."

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