Severely injured yachtsman rescued in North Sea

London, 6 April/GNN/ -- MARITIME AND COASTGUARD AGENCY News Release (Duty 1) issued by The Government News Network on 6 April 2008 Since 0020 this morning, Yarmouth Coastguard and the crew of RAF Re

The first, an urgent evacuation of a 44 year old Dutch man with severe head
injuries from the Yacht "Waikiki" - on passage from Ijmuiden in the Netherlands
to Lowestoft and some 40 miles from land when the incident occurred - was
in the closing stages when a call was received from the passenger ferry
"Pride Of Hull" reporting that a 33 year old British national had suffered
a fall on board, had arm injuries and was drifting in and out of consciousness.

Both men were safely evacuated to a local hospital by the helicopter, and
Gorleston Coastguard Rescue Team attended to secure a safe landing site for
the helicopter to drop off their patients.

Wayne Brunning, Yarmouth Coastguard Watch Manager said,

"We would like to thank the crew of Rescue Helicopter 125 and Gorleston
Coastguard Rescue Team for ensuring that these people were evacuated for
treatment as quickly and safely as possible. Whilst it is unusual to get
two incidents of this type in quick succession, both incidents were dealt
with as quickly and professionally as one would expect."

"We would also like to extend our thanks to our colleagues in the German Navy,
the Dutch Navy and also the Dutch Coastguard. Their help was vital in the
successful location of the "Waikiki", and ensured that this gentleman was
found and evacuated as quickly as humanly possible. This is an example of
international co-operation overcoming difficult circumstances and bringing
about a successful conclusion."

For further information contact Duty Press Officer on 07917 555634
Or during office hours MCA Press Office on: (023) 8032 9401
Press releases and further information is available at www.mcga.gov.uk

Source: Maritime and Coastguard Agency

2008-04-06 03:22:22 0328748 PRNEWSWIRE