Overboard casualties hurt by propeller

Published on 21/07/2012 00:40

Two people were injured by the propeller of a boat after falling from it into the sea.

The incident happened off The Needles landmark on the Isle of Wight yesterday afternoon when four people fell from the rigid inflatable boat (rib).

The Coastguard rescue helicopter was already airborne on exercise and went to the scene along with Yarmouth RNLI lifeboat.

Tony Wheeler, watch manager at Solent Coastguard, said: “We understand that two of the four people on board the rib have sustained injuries from the propeller. One has been airlifted to Southampton General Hospital by the Coastguard rescue helicopter. The other casualty has been taken by Yarmouth RNLI lifeboat to Yarmouth where they were met by the ambulance service and transferred to St Mary’s Hospital, Isle of Wight.”