Four thrown overboard in Fastnet Race yacht collision

Four people were thrown overboard when a yacht competing in the Fastnet Race was in collision with a small motor boat off the Dorset coast.

The 60ft (18.3m) Maitre Coq struck Bit By Bit off Hengistbury Head at about 14:50 BST on Sunday.

Mudeford RNLI lifeboat was called out after three people were thrown overboard from the yacht and one from the motor boat. No-one was hurt.

The motor boat was escorted to Christchurch with minor damage.

The Maitre Coq was undamaged and was able to continue in the race.

The 608 mile (1,126 km) long Fastnet Race started at Cowes on the Isle of Wight on Sunday.

Participants travel around Land's End, across the Celtic Sea and race around the Fastnet Rock off the south-west coast of Ireland.

The vessels then travel back to finish in Plymouth.