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Rescue of ship captain abandoned Rescue of ship captain abandoned
(40 minutes later)
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.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.
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.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.
The helicopter had refuelled in Cork and had reached the Horncliff 225 miles off Scilly. The helicopter spent about an hour trying to winch the man from the Horncliff 225 miles off Scilly.
Falmouth Coastguard said the operation would be reassessed at first light.Falmouth Coastguard said the operation would be reassessed at first light.
The vessel, which is carrying fruit, had been en route to Dover from Costa Rica.The vessel, which is carrying fruit, had been en route to Dover from Costa Rica.
'Conditions too poor' Passengers also hurt
Following the aborted attempt to rescue the captain, the ship is heading to Falmouth and is expected to arrive at about lunchtime on Saturday.
Coastguards said depending on the weather, it was likely a helicopter would be sent out to make another attempt to rescue the man in the morning.
He is safer where he is at the moment RAF Squadron Leader Barry Neilson
The captain is suffering from serious spinal injuries and internal bleeding, the coastguards said.The captain is suffering from serious spinal injuries and internal bleeding, the coastguards said.
The exact circumstances of how he suffered his injuries is unknown.The exact circumstances of how 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 said Two passengers on board have also been hurt - one with a broken hand and another with head injuries - but they are not thought to be serious.
The helicopter from RMB Chivenor reached the vessel, which is now heading for Cork, just before 2100 GMT. The helicopter from RMB Chivenor reached the vessel just before 2100 GMT having refuelled in Cork in the Irish Republic.
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.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.
Squadron Leader Barry Neilson, "It was deemed to be unsafe to either get the winchman on to the boat or to evacuate the casualty.
"Clearly if this guy does have spinal injuries, the last thing we want to do is bash him in any way.
"He is safer where he is at the moment. We have to balance the risks.
"We'll have another helicopter on standby at first light to go out to make another attempt to lift these casualties off the vessel."
'Conditions too poor'
Sqn Ldr Neilson said communication with the crew had not been easy as they did not speak good English.
He said it was the sort of rescue that only needed to be carried out about two or three times a year.
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.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." "There will be a reassessment of the operation at first light."
Containers lost There are 31 passengers and crew on board the Horncliff.
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.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 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.