Rescue helicopter airlifts casualty from yacht

A paramedic was lowered onto the stricken yacht from a rescue helicopter

A coastguard rescue helicopter has airlifted a man from a yacht off Essex.

The coastguard said it received reports of "a vessel in difficulties at Frinton-on-Sea" at about 08:30 BST on Sunday.

Onlookers described seeing the yacht's mast down on the deck and said it was "not a place yachts are usually moored".

The East of England Ambulance Service said a helicopter with a paramedic on board was scrambled.

Onlooker Michael Funnell was staying in a clifftop caravan at nearby Southcliffe when he heard the helicopter circling.

"The yacht had its mast down on the deck of the boat – it looked like it had fallen down or something.

"Other people near us said they had seen the yacht in the same spot on Saturday night, with its mast already down," he said.

The boat was towed to Shotley, Suffolk, by lifeboat

The coastguard confirmed its rescue helicopter was dispatched to the scene, along with the RNLI's Clacton and Harwich lifeboats.

"A casualty was removed from the vessel by a winchman paramedic and taken to hospital by air for onward medical treatment.

"The vessel was towed to Shotley by lifeboat, where it was secured by coastguards," a spokesman said.