A HAMPSHIRE postman broke his back on a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) ride won in a raffle by his mother.

Mystery surrounds how Barry Hobby, 46, suffered the freak injury during the Solent trip.

He did not suffer paralysis and has had surgery to repair the damage.

Witnesses described how Mr Hobby had been enjoying himself with a group, including family and friends, when he suddenly cried out in pain and ordered the skipper to stop the boat.

It was first thought he had jarred his back but it emerged that the injury was much more serious and he has had to undergo an operation.

Mr Hobby's mother, Cynthia, had won the prize in New Milton's Round Table's ladies' night draw.

She was also on the RIB, along with Mr Hobby's wife Amanda and 13-year-old daughter Jasmine when the incident occurred near Keyhaven.

Skipper Simon Quinn was directed by coastguards to Yarmouth, on the Isle of Wight, where Mr Hobby was attended by a paramedic.

His neck was put into a brace and he was given gas and air for pain relief before being taken to St Mary's Hospital, Newport. He was later transferred to Southampton General Hospital for specialist treatment.