DETECTIVES were today waiting to speak to a Southampton man left traumatised after a speedboat tragedy which killed his friend.

The 25-year-old was said to be severely shocked by the fatal crash on the River Itchen at Southampton in the early hours of yesterday.

Police last night named the man who died as 35-year-old business man Kevin Rowsell, of Englefield Road, Bitterne Manor.

The bachelor, who had his own outboard motor business in Southampton, is believed to have been killed instantly in a collision between two high-powered speedboats under Northam Bridge.

Police said he had been found collapsed in the craft, suffering from head injuries.

His parents, Reginald and Wendy Rowsell, live at Waverley Park, East Cowes, on the Isle of Wight. Last night his mother was too upset to speak about the tragedy.

His next-door neighbour Douglas George said: "It's so sad. He was a friendly chap, very personable, very pleasant.

"He worked hard - he was totally involved in his business.

"You would often see him going out to work at all hours of the day or night.

"It was a terrible shock to hear that a young man like that had died. He was doing his best to make a success of his life and his business.

"It's particularly sad because I understand he had a partner and a young child.

"The boy used to come to stay at his flat from time to time."

The other man involved was thrown into the water when his boat overturned and was taken to Southampton General Hospital suffering from hypothermia and shock.

Detectives were hoping to interview him this morning to piece together events leading up to the tragedy, which happened just before 12.30am. Although he has not been named, he is understood to be local and a friend of the deceased.

Today Detective Sergeant Paul Barton, of Southampton Central CID, said: "We do not know how long the two boats were out on the water that evening.

"We want to hear from anyone who may have been driving or walking over Northam Bridge or perhaps were out night fishing on the river who noticed the two boats driving about on the water that evening."

Police were alerted by security staff at the nearby Meridian Television site after cries for help were heard coming from the direction of the river.

Meridian Television security guard Stuart Mee said: " I did not know what was wrong, whether he was injured, whether he was initially stuck, whether the boat was sinking or whether he had been involved in an accident.

"I was trying to establish whether he had any means whatsoever on the boat to get himself or the boat to shore but obviously he was in a state of shock."

A post-mortem was expected to take place at Southampton General Hospital this morning.

Detectives and officers from Hampshire police's marine unit are carrying out a joint investigation into the cause of the collision, on behalf of the Southampton Coroner's office.

An inquest will take place in due course.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call Southampton Central CID on 0845 045 4545.