Sand yachting ban lifted nine years after horror death of Burnley mum

Teaching assistant Mrs Carole Cruz (38), of Kingsbury Place, was killed in St Anne’s in 2002 when a racing sand-yacht ploughed into her.

She suffered horrific injuries to her legs and back and later died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

After the incident Fylde Borough Council banned the sport but council chiefs have now given the go-ahead for a trial to test safety and environmental measures.

The trial will address safety concerns, to ensure members of the public are not put at risk and also examine what effect it has on wildlife, including birds and rare lizards.

Fylde International Sand Yacht Club and Natural England will have to reach an agreement about how the wildlife will be monitored and once this is done the trial will begin and last until the end of September.

At the time of the accident around 12 people were taking part in a race organised by the Fylde International Sand Yacht Club.

In 2007 Mrs Cruz’s parents Mr and Mrs Andrew and Sheila Ewens said they would not oppose the return of the sport if safety measures were stepped up.

The pilot of the sand-yacht, Adrian Warren, of Doncaster, was later charged with her manslaughter but was cleared following a trial in September 2004.