Nick Milligan, Managing Director of Sky Media, killed

Nick Milligan, a senior manager with BSkyB, has been confirmed as a casualty of a speedboat accident in Cornwall at the weekend.

“Everyone at Sky is deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic accident involving the Milligan family.

“Nick has been a great friend and colleague for many years and his loss will be felt across our company and the industry. Our very deepest sympathies are with his family at this time.”

The accident, which happened on Sunday, also claimed the life of Milligan’s eight-year-old daughter. Four others are in hospital with serious injuries.

Witnesses of the incident, which happened in the resort of Padstow, suggest the boat lost control, reports suggesting possibly from an engine malfunction, before throwing the six on board into the water. The motorboat continued to circle the area until some bystanders were able to jump aboard and stop the engine.

“Police were called at around 3.50pm on Sunday 5th May 2013 to the incident which involved six people from the London area who were on holiday in Cornwall. A 39-year-old woman and three children, a boy aged 4 and two girls aged 10 and 12, have all been airlifted to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth and are being treated for a range of injuries, some of which are life changing.” Devon and Cornwall police note.

The boat, which is believed to be privately owned, has been recovered and taken to police premises for examination. The police helicopter attended as well as two search and rescue helicopters from RNAS Culdrose and RNB Chivenor, RNLI lifeboats from Rock and Padstow and three coastguard rescue teams from Newquay, St Merryn and Polzeath.

In 2009 Milligan hit newspaper headlines with his suggestion Channel 4 and Sky Media should consider merging their commercial air time departments to compete more successfully with ITV.