DNA tests on body at Bluebird site

CONISTON, England -- British scientists are carrying out tests on remains found in the Lake District near the spot where speed recordbreaker Donald Campbell disappeared.

Divers found the human remains in Coniston Water near the area where the wreckage of Campbell's powerboat, Bluebird, was recovered in March.

A post-mortem examination and DNA tests are being carried out at Furness General Hospital, Barrow-in-Furness.

The results could take up to four weeks, Cumbria police told the UK Press Association.

Police said the human remains were found on Monday by civilian divers.

Inspector Paul Coulson, of Cumbria Police, said: "Partial remains of what is believed to be a human body were recovered from the bed of Coniston Water in Cumbria, northern England.

"It was close to the site where the wreckage of Donald Campbell's boat, the Bluebird, was recovered."

The discovery and emotional retrieval of the remains were watched by Campbell's daughter Gina who believes it is likely the remains are those of her father.

Placed in a blue box and draped in a Union Jack flag, she wept as it was brought to shore.

She told the BBC: "It's a very moving moment. I respect how nicely it's been done and I want to thank everybody that he can now at last rest in peace in the right place.

"He can't stay in a watery bottom for the rest of time.

"It's going to be a huge relief. It's certainly a huge relief to me and I'm sure it will be a huge relief to the rest of the family once they get their heads around it."

Poignant interview

Campbell, 45, was attempting to break his own world water speed record of 276mph, on January 4, 1967, when the boat vaulted from the lake's surface and somersaulted before crashing, killing him instantly.

Minutes earlier, during his first run, he achieved a speed of 297 mph (475 kph), then turned the craft around without refuelling and without waiting for his wake to settle.

The crash is blamed by some on the waves of the wake disturbing the otherwise glassy lake.

In a poignant interview before his fateful run, Campbell said the boat was an example of British engineering leadership.

"And it does I think also show that the British, when they make their minds up, can jolly well overcome all obstacles and achieve anything," he said.

The location of Bluebird -- and Campbell's body -- eluded his family and divers for more than three decades.

But it was discovered 150ft at the bottom of Coniston, in the Lake District, at the end of last year.

Campbell set seven world water speed records in Bluebird between 1955 and 1964.

He also captured the world land speed record of 403 mph (645 kph) with his Bluebird car in 1964, becoming the only person to hold land and water records at the same time.

His father, Sir Malcolm, also held both land and water records.

Despite being subject to a 5mph speed limit, a local by-law covering Coniston states that attempts at the world water speed record are exempt.

The current record is held by Australian Ken Warby at 317.6 mph.