THE air ambulance has been called to a popular marina after a Mayday call from a boat.

Emergency services including police, coastguard and land ambulances were called to Hamble Point Marina at around 2pm this afternoon after a man in his forties suffered a life threatening medical emergency.

He was then taken by land ambulance to Southampton General Hospital.

The boat – a 35ft sailing yacht – is called the Altostratus.

Will Sogs from Thornhill had gone to the marina to get some chips and saw the drama unfold. The 46-year-old house husband said: “We were just sitting eating our chips and watching the sea when the helicopter arrived and then a procession of ambulances and police cars. Then the air ambulance arrived. There were about half a dozen response vehicles.”

The ray mariner also offered assistance.

It was initially reported by UK Coastguard that the patient had fainted.

A coastguard spokesperson said: “We were called at about 2.45 this afternoon to a Mayday from a vessel making its way into the Hamble.

"The Calshot lifeboat was called."