A MAN who fell overboard from a boat in Southampton Water was lucky to be alive today after spending nearly an hour in the water.

Alex Whitcher, 36, of Lymington, was alone in a rigid inflatable boat when he was plunged into the sea off Fawley.

The craft, which had an outboard motor, took off and travelled for about half a mile before hitting a breakwater and landing in a car park at Hamble .

But sailors on board the yacht White Wizard spotted the stranded sailor, who was wearing a lifejacket, drifting in the water.

Hamble Rescue was called to the scene, located Mr Whitcher in the dark and plucked him from the ice-cold water.

Mr Olden said: "He had been in the water for about an hour and was extremely cold and shocked."

Mr Whitcher was taken to Southampton General Hospital suffering from mild hypothermia.