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Briton injured on Atlantic yacht Rescued Briton abandons new yacht
(about 2 hours later)
An oil tanker has been sent to the aid of a British yachtsman who was badly injured on a solo Atlantic crossing. A British yachtsman was rescued by an oil tanker after suffering a bad fall during a solo Atlantic crossing.
Alan Thompson, 61, from Chichester, West Sussex, severely damaged his hip on the yacht Padolu, about 690 miles (1,111km) north east of Bermuda. Alan Thompson, 61, of Chichester, West Sussex, suffered a suspected broken pelvis on the Padolu, about 690 miles (1,111km) north east of Bermuda.
Falmouth Coastguard was alerted by a friend and contacted US authorities, who are co-ordinating the rescue. Two US coastguards helped him off the yacht and aboard the tanker which had responded to a mayday call.
The tanker was the nearest vessel to the Padolu on Saturday night as the yacht was out of helicopter range. But the Padolu, thought to have cost about $33,000 (£16,866), is now at the mercy of Atlantic currents and winds.
Mr Thompson's UK-based colleague contacted the Cornish authorities at about 1945 GMT after receiving a distress call. Falmouth Coastguard was alerted by a friend of Mr Thompson's on Saturday evening and contacted US authorities.
Single-handed The experienced yachtsman was said to be in a lot of pain and was given self-medication advice by a doctor over a satellite phone.
The yachtsman, who was injured after falling onboard, needs urgent medical attention and has limited movement. He was gutted but I think he knew that was it Falmouth coastguard spokesman
The US Coastguard has been in hourly contact him to check his condition while the merchant vessel was en route. The tanker was the nearest vessel to his new 37ft (11m) yacht when the distress call went out and went to his assistance.
A doctor has also offered Mr Thompson self-medication advice with the supplies he has onboard. A spokesman for Falmouth Coastguard said Mr Thompson: "He was in a terrific amount of pain.
Mr Thompson was single-handedly bringing the yacht from the US to the UK when he fell. "We told him he would have to come off and it would be the last he would see of the boat, which isn't insured.
Falmouth Coastguard said the incident was ongoing. "Now he's back on his way to the USA and I'm afraid the yacht has been abandoned."
The second-hand vessel was advertised for sale at $55,000 (£28,110) by a Florida broker.
Sinking possibility
"He was upset at the fact he was going to have to leave it as you can imagine, after just paying out all that money," the spokesman added.
"We put it to him - you have to come off, we can't get you treated on board. In the end he agreed it was the best course of action.
"It would break my heart. He was gutted but I think he knew that was it."
Mr Thompson was on his way back to the US on Sunday to receive medical treatment.
Padolu will either sink or the prevailing winds and current will take it back to the US.
If it hits the Gulf Stream it could even end up somewhere off the British Isles, the spokesman added.