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Rescue for injured ship's captain Rescue of ship captain abandoned
(about 1 hour later)
Cornish coastguards are co-ordinating the rescue of a cargo ship's captain who was seriously injured off the Isles of Scilly during a force 10 gale. An attempt to rescue a cargo ship's captain who was seriously injured in a force 10 gale off the Isles of Scilly has been abandoned as too dangerous.
Falmouth Coastguard said a helicopter from RMB Chivenor had refuelled in Cork and had reached the Horncliff 225 miles west south west of Scilly. An RAF Sea King helicopter had battled high winds to attempt the rescue of the Horncliff's skipper, in an operation co-ordinated by Cornish coastguards.
Coastguards said the situation was being assessed and preparations were being made to airlift the captain. The helicopter had refuelled in Cork and had reached the Horncliff 225 miles off Scilly.
The vessel, which is carrying fruit, was en route to Dover from Costa Rica. Falmouth Coastguard said the operation would be reassessed at first light.
Six passengers may also be removed from the vessel. The vessel, which is carrying fruit, had been en route to Dover from Costa Rica.
Spinal injuries 'Conditions too poor'
When the helicopter leaves the ship it will head for Cork where a medical team will be waiting. The captain is suffering from serious spinal injuries and internal bleeding, the coastguards said.
The captain is suffering from spinal injuries and internal bleeding, Falmouth coastguard said. The exact circumstances of how he suffered his injuries is unknown.
The exact circumstances of how the he suffered his injuries is unknown.
Two passengers on board have also been hurt - one with a broken hand and another with head injuries - but these are not so serious, a coastguard spokesman saidTwo passengers on board have also been hurt - one with a broken hand and another with head injuries - but these are not so serious, a coastguard spokesman said
The helicopter reached the vessel, which is now heading for Cork, just before 2100 GMT. The helicopter from RMB Chivenor reached the vessel, which is now heading for Cork, just before 2100 GMT.
There are 31 passengers and crew on board the ship - which is currently 180 miles south of Ireland. But after nearly an hour hovering over the ship trying to get the injured man off, assisted by a Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft from Scotland, the attempt had to be abandoned.
Falmouth Coastguard said the vessel has suffered some damage and is listing slightly, but there is no danger of it sinking. Falmouth Coastguard watch manager John Rossiter said: "The conditions are too poor and it's too dangerous at the moment to carry out the operation.
"The Sea King is returning to Cork and there will be a reassessment of the operation at first light."
Containers lost
The captain is now expected to remain on the ship as it sails to Cork and he will transfer to hospital on arrival.
It is thought it could take until Saturday lunchtime to complete the journey.
There are 31 passengers and crew on board the Horncliff - which was about 180 miles south of the Irish Republic as the rescue attempt was made.
Falmouth Coastguard said the vessel has suffered some damage and is listing slightly, but there was no danger of it sinking.
The vessel lost about 90 containers carrying fruit during the storm.
The Horncliff, a 12,887-tonne cargo ship which is flying the Liberian flag, was built in 1992.The Horncliff, a 12,887-tonne cargo ship which is flying the Liberian flag, was built in 1992.