SAILORS have told of their dramatic efforts to rescue seven people from the Solent when their yacht collided during a major race.

The five men and two women were pulled from the freezing waters after their vessel struck a passing yacht near Bramble Bank near Calshot.

Today an investigation is expected to be launched into the incident which sparked dramatic scenes on the waterway as two coastguard helicopters, lifeboat teams and emergency services were mobilised on both sides of the Solent.

Now crews from the other yacht - which was not part of the race - reveal how they and a sailor from a tiny RIB hauled them to safety.

The seven were racing in their Cowes-based Corby 36 yacht called Ino.

But their journey came to an abrupt end then they were in collision with the passing yacht Valkyrie - which was uninvolved in the competition.

The impact caused a huge hole in Ino's bow causing it to rapidly sink as the shocked crew plunged into the water.

Teams from Valkrie immediately took down their sails and rushed back to help while Ino sounded a May Day alerting Solent Coastguards, Cowes RNLI and the independent lifeboat at the Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS).

Valkyrie members hauled one woman into their vessel while a man in a blue RIB rescued the six others as the damaged boat rapidly disappeared under the waves.

Daily Echo:

Daniel Pope, 34, who was on Valkyrie said: "It was a big impact and left a big hole in their boat.

"We were on the scene to help a woman and then the RIB arrived and it was easier for the rest to get on the rib than our boat.

"We were amazed at how quickly it went down.

"It was frightening to watch and must have gone down in a couple of minutes."

The helicopters were stood down soon afterwards and the seven - believed to be in their 20s and 30s - were transferred Gosport lifeboat .

The Cowes lifeboat crew wrapped them in blankets and took them to Trinity Landing in Cowes.

They were found to be uninjured and an ambulance from South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) returned to base.

Brian Pack, duty coxswain for GAFIRS praised the rescuers and said of the RIB captain: "His quick actions mean they were in the water for a lot less time before we got there.

"It was a swift rescue from all involved."

He said the rescued crew has been "well prepared" adding: "It just shows the importance of life jackets and wet weather gear."

An RNLI spokesman also thanked the rescuers adding: "They prevented something more serious happening."

The damaged yacht was designed by John Corby, of Corby Yachts, which fielded four boats in the race.

One - the No Retreat tracked back to try and help.

Last night he anticipated an investigation will be launched and added: "Thank God there were no casualties."