A DUTCHMAN was being questioned by police yesterday over a speedboat crash in the Caribbean in which a boy died.

Luke Noble, 14, from East Boldon, South Tyneside, his cousin, Stephen Noble, 18, and two teenage friends from the US were thrown into the water when the craft hit their dinghy in darkness off the British Virgin Islands.

Luke and American friend Duncan Campbell-Harty were killed instantly when the speedboat hit them at head height and made off without stopping on Thursday night.

Stephen and American friend Ian Murray were pulled from the water, but Luke and Duncan could not be found. Their bodies were later recovered by rescuers.

Luke was on a six-week holiday to the island with his aunt and uncle, Detective Chief Inspector Tony Noble, who is on a three-year secondment from Northumbria Police with his British Virgin Islands counterparts.

Luke, a pupil at St Joseph's School, Hebburn, South Tyneside, was described as a wonderful son and brother.

His father, Mark, a 42-year-old village postmaster, was flying to the British Virgin Isles while his mother, Karen, also 42, stayed at home with her other children Adam, 19, and Jill, 11.

Mark's brother Vincent Noble, 38, of Gateshead, said: "Luke was a really wonderful lad. It was an honour to have known him.

"He was on the holiday of a lifetime with Adam and his cousins, it was a fantastic six-week break in an amazing part of the world.

"Luke loved action and he loved the water. He could water-ski and windsurf and he was revelling in his time in the Virgin Islands.

"A second either way and the two boats would have missed each other, but they had to be right there at that moment. It is so tragic. We find it unforgivable that this speedboat driver did not stop."

Mr Murray was taken to hospital with Stephen, where they were treated for their injuries. Stephen was due to be released from hospital.

The Dutch boat driver was subsequently tracked down by police.