A YACHTSMAN was left unconscious with serious head injuries after an accident on the Solent this afternoon.
The man in his 30s has been taken to hospital after being violently thrown onto a winch handle by a taut rope outside Cowes Harbour.
The incident came during late afternoon as his crew practised for tomorrow's Round the Island race.
The eight person Farnham-based crew of the 40 foot Sunsail ocean racer No 4014 were carrying out gybe exercises in brisk wind.
After the accident the yacht was unable to move because a rope became tangled in the propeller.
The coastguard helicopter was launched as a precaution but the yacht was towed by a passing rib skippered by Robbie Southwell, son of operations manager of Cowes lifeboat, Mark.
The lifeboat was called and one of the crew, Dr Will King, went aboard the yacht to give medical assistance. He was later taken by ambulance to St Mary’s Hospital, Newport.
The lifeboat returned to station at 5.25pm.
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