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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Rescued Briton abandons new yacht | Rescued Briton abandons new yacht |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A British yachtsman was rescued by an oil tanker after suffering a bad fall during 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, of Chichester, West Sussex, suffered a suspected broken pelvis on the 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. |
| Two US coastguards helped him off the yacht and aboard the tanker which had responded to a mayday call. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | 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. | 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 "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," he said. | |
| "Now he's back on his way to the USA and I'm afraid the yacht has been abandoned." | "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. | The second-hand vessel was advertised for sale at $55,000 (£28,110) by a Florida broker. |
| Sinking possibility | 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. | "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. | "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." | "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. | 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. | 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. | If it hits the Gulf Stream it could even end up somewhere off the British Isles, the spokesman added. |