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Atlantic rower Niall Iain Macdonald has to be rescued Atlantic rower Niall Iain Macdonald has to be rescued
(35 minutes later)
A Scottish rower who was trying to row single-handed across the Atlantic - from New York to the Western Isles - has had to abandon his attempt.A Scottish rower who was trying to row single-handed across the Atlantic - from New York to the Western Isles - has had to abandon his attempt.
Stornoway rower Niall Iain Macdonald contacted a control centre at Falmouth in Cornwall by satellite phone to say he had got into difficulties. Stornoway rower Niall Iain Macdonald contacted a control centre at Falmouth in Cornwall by satellite phone to say he had got into difficulties.
It is believed Mr Macdonald hurt his back in a fall in the 24ft rowing boat.
US coastguards sent a vessel to rescue him about 50 miles off the coast and he has now been taken back to New York.US coastguards sent a vessel to rescue him about 50 miles off the coast and he has now been taken back to New York.
Mr Macdonald, a Gaelic TV and radio presenter, set off a week ago.Mr Macdonald, a Gaelic TV and radio presenter, set off a week ago.
Dubbed NY2SY, the 3,000 mile crossing of the North Atlantic from the US east coast to Lewis was to raise money for the Scottish Association of Mental Health. Dubbed NY2SY, the 3,400 mile crossing of the North Atlantic from the US east coast to Lewis was to raise money for the Scottish Association of Mental Health.
Mr Macdonald, 39, had said he expected the journey to take him at least three months to complete. Mr Macdonald, 40, had said he expected the journey to take him at least three months to complete.
The last entry on his online diary of the voyage - posted four days ago - said he was facing easily the most testing conditions he had been in so far, but that he felt safe.
In 2008, the broadcaster rowed from Lewis, across the Minch, to Ullapool on the Scottish mainland.In 2008, the broadcaster rowed from Lewis, across the Minch, to Ullapool on the Scottish mainland.