24 Sep 2018

Massive effort underway to rescue seriously injured sailor

From Morning Report, 8:17 am on 24 September 2018

A huge multinational rescue mission is underway to reach a seriously injured sailor taking part in the Golden Globe round-the-world yacht race. Abhilash Tomy, a 39-year-old Indian naval commander, is stranded 3200km off the coast of Western Australia after a severe storm broke the boat's mast. The race organisers say his location is "at the extreme limit of immediate rescue range". Mr Tomy managed to send a message saying he has a severe back injury, can't move and is unable to eat or drink. Gyles Beckford spoke to Golden Globe Race director Don McIntyre who is in Les Sables d'Olonne - the race's start point in France. He says several planes have flown over the disabled yacht to gather more information.