A YACHTSMAN taking part in the Cowes Week had to be rescued after suffering a head injury.

Solent Coastguards contacted Cowes RNLI as the lifeboat crew was preparing for a safety patrol among the yachts competing in that day's regatta.

As the lifeboat approached the area of East Lepe Buoy, the yacht identified itself among the many racers by setting off a flare.

Lifeboat crew member Dr Will King went aboard to carry out a preliminary examination of the man, in his thirties and still conscious.

The casualty who had suffered an injury from a spinnaker boom, was eventually taken by the lifeboat to Trinity Landing to where an ambulance then took him to Newport's St Mary's Hospital.

Waiting at Trinity Landing to assist in the transfer were members of the lifeboat's shore crew.

Minutes before they were on hand to help in the transfer of another yachtsman who had received a head injury and also needed a hospital check-up.

He had been landed by Gosport lifeboat.

Cowes lifeboat was later tasked to go to a 50 foot yacht, Saga, which had ran aground just west of the entrance to Beaulieu River.

But lifeboat helm, Max Rimington, decided the best course was to let the yacht float on its own accord by the rising tide.