An Indian sailor has been rescued from the middle of the Indian Ocean after he was seriously injured and his yacht lost its masts in 45ft waves during a round-the-world solo race. Abhilash Tomy raised the alarm on Saturday after his yacht was badly damaged in a storm about 2, miles west of Australia, leaving him with severe back injuries. Race organisers said the year-old had been found on board today and that he was 'conscious and talking' after a French ship reached his storm-damaged vessel.
An Irish rival who went to his aid while competing in the Golden Globe Race has also been evacuated. The same French fishing vessel collected year-old Gregor McGuckin. Indian sailor Abhilash Tomy has been rescued from the middle of the Indian Ocean after he was seriously injured and his yacht lost its masts in 45ft waves during a round-the-world solo race. His damaged vessel is pictured today. Abhilash Tomy pictured , called for emergency assistance on Saturday after the yacht was badly damaged in a storm about 2, miles west of Australia, leaving him with severe back injuries.
Race organisers said the year-old had been found onboard and that he was 'conscious and talking' after a French ship reached his storm-damaged vessel. They have Tomy onboard and he is conscious and talking, fantastic news The year-old Irishman is still 25 miles to the West and in radio contact with the reconnaissance aircraft. He is not in distress but has asked for a controlled evacuation from his yacht.
Tomy, whose website says he became the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe in , was a contestant in the gruelling 30,mile Golden Globe Race. The hospital on Amsterdam Island is well equipped with X-ray and ultrasound equipment. A spokesman for McGuckin, from Dublin, said he was in good condition.
He said: 'The vessel initially rescued Indian sailor Abhilash Tomy who is reported to be conscious and talking. McGuckin's condition is good and he has reported nothing more than bumps and bruises. Competitors set sail from Les Sables-d'Olonne, France. Mr Tomy had become stranded some 3, km southwest of Perth. The spokesman added that McGuckin's team, friends and family would like to express their sincere gratitude to all involved in the operation so far.
