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Rescued Briton abandons new yacht | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A British yachtsman was rescued by an oil tanker after suffering a bad fall during a solo Atlantic crossing. | |
Alan Thompson, 61, of Chichester, West Sussex, suffered a suspected broken pelvis on the Padolu, about 690 miles (1,111km) north east of Bermuda. | |
Two US coastguards helped him off the yacht and aboard the tanker which had responded to a mayday call. | |
But the Padolu, thought to have cost about $33,000 (£16,866), is now at the mercy of Atlantic currents and winds. | |
Falmouth Coastguard was alerted by a friend of Mr Thompson's on Saturday evening and contacted US authorities. | |
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. | |
He was gutted but I think he knew that was it Falmouth coastguard spokesman | |
The tanker was the nearest vessel to his new 37ft (11m) yacht when the distress call went out and went to his assistance. | |
A spokesman for Falmouth Coastguard said Mr Thompson: "He was in a terrific amount of pain. | |
"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. | |
"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. |