An unconscious yachtsman, who had suffered a head injury aboard a classic yacht, became the subject of a rescue operation off the Isle of Wight this afternoon (Thursday, July 18).

Cowes RNLI lifeboat was alerted at 1.45pm to reports that a man had been hit by a yacht's boom and required emergency medical care.

The lifeboat met the yacht mid-Solent, between Osborne Bay and Lee-on-Solent, and took the unconscious man to Trinity Landing in Cowes.

The yachtsman was seen by a local doctor and was taken to St Mary's Hospital.

Cowes lifeboat returned to the station at 2.25pm.