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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Rescued Briton abandons new yacht | Rescued Briton abandons new yacht |
| (about 10 hours 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, Roger Pocock, on Saturday evening and contacted US authorities. | Falmouth Coastguard was alerted by a friend of Mr Thompson's, Roger Pocock, 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. |
| It was his last big adventure Roger Pocock | It was his last big adventure Roger Pocock |
| 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". | 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. | "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. |
| No SOS | No SOS |
| "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 Pocock, 62, licensee of The Bull's Head pub in Fishbourne where Mr Thompson is a regular, said he received a call from Mr Thompson and it was "obvious he was in constant pain". | Mr Pocock, 62, licensee of The Bull's Head pub in Fishbourne where Mr Thompson is a regular, said he received a call from Mr Thompson and it was "obvious he was in constant pain". |
| He said: "I don't know why he didn't put out an SOS, but maybe he didn't want to make a big alert." | He said: "I don't know why he didn't put out an SOS, but maybe he didn't want to make a big alert." |
| Sinking possibility | Sinking possibility |
| He said that Mr Thompson was a "very experienced sailor", who had crossed the Atlantic twice with a crew when he was younger. He also used to own and run a sailing school in Chichester. | |
| And he added this was Mr Thompson's second attempt to sail the vessel home - two months ago he set out but turned back because of poor weather. | And he added this was Mr Thompson's second attempt to sail the vessel home - two months ago he set out but turned back because of poor weather. |
| "I just hope he stays in home waters in future," he said. | "I just hope he stays in home waters in future," he said. |
| "I can't see him doing anything like this again, it was his last big adventure." | "I can't see him doing anything like this again, it was his last big adventure." |
| 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. |