TV presenter nearly loses hand in boat mishap

Archeologist Mark Horton caught his "digging hand" in rigging

A TV presenter and archaeologist almost lost his "digging hand" in a boat accident after getting caught in rigging, emergency services have said.

Mark Horton, presenter of BBC Two's Coast, was carrying out maintenance on a yacht at Gloucestershire's Lydney Harbour in April when the vessel fell on its side.

He was catapulted three or four metres into very shallow muddy water, injuring his arm in the process. Members of the public hauled him out and an air ambulance medic ensured he did not lose blood flow to his hand.

Staff from Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) said it was "incredibly fulfilling" to know they helped to make sure he could keep doing what he loves.

Mr Horton with one of the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity medics

Mr Horton was lucky to have bystanders nearby when he was catapulted into the mud.

They immediately called 999 and then rolled him onto a tarpaulin and up a slipway, GWAAC said.

The helpers also found a piece of driftwood and used gaffer tape to put his arm in a splint.

GWAAC's pre-hospital emergency medicine trainee Dr Celestine Weegenaar straightened his arm before the journey to hospital because the blood flow to the hand and nerves were compromised.

Mr Horton had to have surgery on his hand and is still having physiotherapy but said no long-term damage had been done.

Mr Horton, a former archaeology professor at the University of Bristol, said: "I think myself quite lucky.

"Perhaps it was my old-fashioned Titanic-style life jacket that took the brunt of the fall and saved me from a far worse fate.

"What GWAAC did for me, was help me to carry on being an archaeologist, to do my livelihood. It's my digging hand, you see."

Dr Weegenaar said: "As a trainee critical care doctor, it was a valuable opportunity to put my training into practice in a high-stakes situation.

"It was even more rewarding to see him afterwards.

"Knowing we played a part in preserving his ability to keep doing what he loves was incredibly fulfilling."