POLICE today cleared a Burnley jetskier of charges that he rode between the twin hulls of a ferry saying it was a case of "mistaken identity".

Jubilant company director Graham Betley, 36, said today: "I'm delighted! As soon as my jetski is fixed I will be back on the water."

Mr Betley was arrested last month after his jetski crashed into a speed boat in the River Mersey.

Police had had reports of a jetskier going underneath a Seacat ferry and questioned Mr Betley about the daredevil stunt.

But Port of Liverpool Police Superintendent Mike Hindley today said Mr Betley's arrest was mistaken identity.

He added: "I have spoken to Mr Betley and will be writing to formally thank him for the help and information he supplied.

"We have carried out a lot of interviews with people who saw the jetski go under the back of the ferry and those who saw what happened at the front and it appears to be a case of mistaken identity. "There are differences in the equipment noted by people who saw the jetskier go under the ferry to that of Mr Betley.

"We are now going to interview the other jetskier named by Mr Betley and we will decide from his statement whether to prosecute."

Mr Betley, of Clockhouse Court, said: "It was frustrating to read about myself in the papers when I hadn't done what I was being accused of."

Supt Hindley said the Mersey incident on August 16 and the death of a jetskier in North Wales had highlighted the safety aspect of the craft.

He said: "There is a company in Surrey called the British Marine Industry Federation which produces a training manual for jetskiers so they know the basics before they take to the water. We would advise people to get a copy."

Mr Betley reinforced Supt Hindley's message saying new jetskiers should read manuals to learn about the craft, be vigilant in the water and build up experience before they tackled big waves.

"The sea will always be there tomorrow," he added.

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