Sailor Falls in Tyne From Tender

Sunday, November 01, 2009
Posted 10:40 GMT

A yachtsman has been rescued from the River Tyne after falling into the river from his tender this morning.

At 7.54am Humber Coastguard received a 999 call from a young lady who reported that her father had fallen from his tender into the river near the Millennium Bridge Pontoon. She also said she could see a pilot boat in the area. Humber Coastguard alerted the pilot boat to incident and also sent to the scene Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade and requested the launch of Tyne and Wear Fire Brigade river launch.

The man was taken out of the water at 8.12am and was attended to by ambulance crew, suffering from mild hypothermia.

Lynda Hillerby at Humber Coastguard says,

The first informant in this incident was the casualtys daughter who took the right action by calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard, remaining very calm and helpful and this aided the speedy recovery of her father from the water. The gentleman also had the good sense to wear his life jacket which kept him afloat during his 20 minute ordeal in the river.

For further details contact:
The Maritime & Coastguard Agency Press Office
023 8032 9401