MAN AIRLIFTED TO HOSPITAL FOLLOWING YACHT FIRE

A man has been rescued from a yacht tender this evening, after his yacht caught fire and he sustained burns fighting the fire.

Solent Coastguard was contacted by the mans wife at 5.30 pm this evening to request assistance for her husband. He had been on board his yacht, which was on a mooring off Marchwood, when the vessel caught fire. After attempting to put the fire out, the man left his yacht and boarded the yachts tender. He then called his wife, who in turn contacted Solent Coastguard.

The Coastguard liaised with Southampton Ports who sent their harbour launch out. Solent Coastguard also requested the Calshot RNLI lifeboat to launch and scrambled the coastguard helicopter. Southampton Coastguard Rescue Team also attended the scene. The harbour launch took the dinghy in tow and towed the casualty and dinghy to shore, where they were met by the helicopter which airlifted the casualty to Southampton landing site, for onward transportation to Southampton General Hospital.

Solent Coastguard Watch Manager Tony Wheeler says:

Hampshire Fire and Rescue officers are still on scene, dampening down the yacht, to ensure that the fire is out. The lifeboat and the coastguard team are helping them with this operation.

Remember in an emergency at sea or along the coast, you can call 999 and ask for the coastguard. Minutes can make all the difference in life-threatening situations.

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