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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 after leaving Tonga two days ago. | |
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 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 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. |
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." |