Isle of Wight emergency crews took part in a major search operation yesterday evening (Sunday, March 10) to find a lone yachtsman amid serious concerns about his wellbeing. 

The sailor had left Chichester Harbour onboard his yacht on Saturday (March 9) and could have been anywhere along the south coast, including the Solent.

However, coastguards were able to track his phone, and it was determined his yacht could be in the River Medina or Newtown Creek.

Cowes RNLI lifeboat launched and searched the Medina without success.

However, after a confirmed sighting by a coastguard helicopter, the Cowes crew travelled to Newtown.

Island-based coastguard rescue teams and crews from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service assembled on Shalfleet Quay.

Emergency crews boarded the yacht, and rescuers found a man trapped between furniture and fittings in the cabin. 

With the help of RNLI personnel, the crew of a Lepe-based lifeboat and coastguards, he was freed and taken ashore to an ambulance.