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UK man waits Pacific yacht rescue UK man awaits Pacific yacht rescue
(35 minutes later)
A British man and a New Zealand woman are waiting to be rescued after their yacht rolled in the Pacific Ocean, authorities say.A British man and a New Zealand woman are waiting to be rescued after their yacht rolled in the Pacific Ocean, authorities say.
It is about 700km south-west of Tonga and 1,260km north-east of New Zealand, rescue co-ordinators said.It is about 700km south-west of Tonga and 1,260km north-east of New Zealand, rescue co-ordinators said.
The yacht, called Windigo, righted itself after being damaged on Wednesday but is taking on water and could sink.The yacht, called Windigo, righted itself after being damaged on Wednesday but is taking on water and could sink.
The 52-old-man and 43-year-old woman are understood to have mild to moderate head injuries.The 52-old-man and 43-year-old woman are understood to have mild to moderate head injuries.
The man also hurt his back when the 11.6m (38-ft) vessel rolled. The yacht left Tonga two days ago. The man also hurt his back when the 11.6m (38-ft) vessel rolled after leaving Tonga two days ago.
Few vessels are in the area, which is being affected by 75km winds. There are few vessels in the area, which has been affected by 75km winds.
A flight overhead by a French navy aircraft Noumea confirmed the yacht is still floating and it established radio contact with the crew.
A New Zealand Air Force P3-Orion later took a position above the yacht where it remained for three hours and dropped a life raft.
An emergency beacon was received from the yacht on Wednesday at 18.30 New Zealand time (05.00 GMT).An emergency beacon was received from the yacht on Wednesday at 18.30 New Zealand time (05.00 GMT).
A New Zealand Air Force Orion flew over the Windigo at 01.00 on Thursday, made contact with the yacht and dropped a life-raft. A freighter and a yacht were expected to reach the Windigo at 1am on Friday, New Zealand time, (12.00 GMT) but no rescue would be attempted until daybreak, the Rescue Co-ordination Centre said.
It returned to the vessel later in the day after refuelling, Maritime New Zealand said.
A freighter and a yacht were expected to reach the Windigo overnight on Friday, New Zealand time, but no rescue would be attempted until daybreak, the Rescue Co-ordination Centre said.
It added that a New Zealand Navy patrol boat had also been sent to assist.It added that a New Zealand Navy patrol boat had also been sent to assist.
A spokesman said: "The yacht's upright but it's lost a few windows and is taking on water and there is a risk it will sink. They have their own life raft but at the moment it's safer for them to stay on the vessel." Search and Search and Rescue Mission Co-ordinator Keith Allen said sea conditions were becoming less severe but remained rough.
"It will be extremely uncomfortable and the people aboard are tired, but the yacht is still afloat so the correct approach is to remain onboard."