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QC 'stable' after yacht accident | |
(about 14 hours later) | |
A Northern Ireland QC is preparing for surgery after he was critically injured in a yachting accident in the Caribbean. | |
John Thompson from Carnalea near Bangor was competing in a transatlantic yacht race when he was hit by the boom of the sail during storms. | John Thompson from Carnalea near Bangor was competing in a transatlantic yacht race when he was hit by the boom of the sail during storms. |
He was in a critical condition but has now moved out of intensive care and is reported to be stable. | |
The boat was in a race from the Canary Islands when the accident happened. | |
He suffered a serious head injury to the left hand side of his face after being hit by the boom when a storm blew up as they neared St Lucia on Friday. | |
The injured lawyer was then transferred to a cruise ship with two doctors on board and then taken ashore at Barbados. | The injured lawyer was then transferred to a cruise ship with two doctors on board and then taken ashore at Barbados. |
The operation on his face is due to take place on Thursday. | |
It is understood that Mr Thompson, who is in his 50s, owned the yacht, the Avocet, which was taking part in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers. | |
'Strong winds' | 'Strong winds' |
Gary Marshall who has taken part twice in the ARC race said it was a very challenging event, spanning 2,800 miles of ocean. | Gary Marshall who has taken part twice in the ARC race said it was a very challenging event, spanning 2,800 miles of ocean. |
"The good thing with the ARC is that so many boats take part, that you are in communication with other boats within a five/10 mile radius," he said. | "The good thing with the ARC is that so many boats take part, that you are in communication with other boats within a five/10 mile radius," he said. |
Terry Bent, a reporter on St Lucia, said the weather in the area had been unseasonable. | Terry Bent, a reporter on St Lucia, said the weather in the area had been unseasonable. |
"Winds normally here at this time of year tend to blow in from the easterly which would have been behind the yachts crossing to St Lucia," he said. | "Winds normally here at this time of year tend to blow in from the easterly which would have been behind the yachts crossing to St Lucia," he said. |
"They suddenly found themselves pushing into a head wind and the seas have also become quite rough. | "They suddenly found themselves pushing into a head wind and the seas have also become quite rough. |
"The wind has got quite strong and I believe this is all associated with the new storm that's now been upgraded to a tropical storm, Olga, which is in the north Caribbean." | "The wind has got quite strong and I believe this is all associated with the new storm that's now been upgraded to a tropical storm, Olga, which is in the north Caribbean." |