THE billionaire owner of Alderley Farm, near Wotton-under-Edge, has died following a speed boat accident in the Caribbean.

A billionaire with a love of extreme sports has been killed in an accident with his new high powered speedboat in the Caribbean.

Norwegian businessman Erik Henriksen, 58, had lived in the UK for more than a decade after building his own stately home at the farm.

The shipping and energy tycoon had recently put the property on the market for £17 million.

He died after being thrown from his 1,000hp, 34ft speedboat in the Cayman Islands where he also had a property.

Neighbours described Mr Henriksen as a "daredevil" who loved extreme sports.

But locals said the enormous property, Alderley Farm, was virtually abandoned when the couple split three years ago and Mr Henriksen spent most of his time abroad.

One woman, who used to be invited to his house for drinks, said she understood he was killed when he was thrown overboard after his new boat hit a wave.

She added: "Talking to a few people around here about his death, they have said they weren't surprised.

"People thought something like this might happen.

"People seem to be saying the same things I have read on the internet - that he had bought a high powered boat quite recently and that it hit a wave and they were both chucked out of the boat. I have no idea who he was with."

Local plumber Peter Ballinger, 43, knew Mr Henriksen for about ten years, because his family rented land from his estate for grazing.

He said: "He was a nice chap - very genuine. He was an exciting chap that's for sure.

"He travelled all over the world to do these extreme kind of things. It's a shock what happened."

Mr Henriksen had businesses listed on the Oslo stock exchange and chaired the board of Norwegian energy company Noreco.

He founded the Aqua Nirvana Foundation which provides clean and safe water in developing countries.

Estate agents Savills said it was not clear whether the property would remain on the market following Mr Henriksen's death.

The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service said two men, aged 58 and 41, were thrown from the boat in the accident on November 9.

They were both in the water for a long period before anyone knew their whereabouts.

A police investigation into the deaths continues.