A 19-YEAR OLD crewman onboard a Cowes Week yacht, whose legs were crushed in a two-boat collision earlier today (Sunday) has been taken to hospital.

The Cowes RNLI lifeboat was launched at 11.42am after the alarm was raised by the crew onboard the yacht.

A lifeboat spokesperson said: "The teenager was one of four men aboard a 25ft yacht in collision with another yacht while his legs were dangling over the side.

"The incident occurred near the Ryde Middle Buoy in the eastern Solent in fresh winds, and it was believed at least one of his legs was fractured.

"The lifeboat, with Dr Will King in the crew, attended to the injured man and put him into a special stretcher.

"An alongside tow eventually proceeded to Trinity Landing, off Cowes Parade, with the injured teenager remaining on the yacht’s deck.

"Waiting at the Trinity pontoon were ambulance crew, together with Isle of Wight coastguards and Cowes lifeboat shore crew."

The injured man was taken to St Mary's hospital by the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service.

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