A FAMILY saved the life of an elderly man yesterday when they plucked him from the sea after he fell overboard from his motorboat, according to the coastguard.

The 72-year-old was unconscious when Mark Leach and his family found him floating face down in the water near to Cowes on the Isle of Wight at 2.20pm.

Mr Leach, who was enjoying the day on his yacht, jumped into the water and with the help of his son and wife, recovered the man to the swimming platform on their boat.

A coastguard said that the rescued man had been in control of a yellow motorboat when Mr Leach spotted him in difficulties.

The vessel had been snagged at the stern and was sinking quickly causing the man to end up in the water.

The coastguard scrambled a rescue team and a helicopter which airlifted the man to hospital where he is recovering from his ordeal.

Nigel Guyll, duty watch manager, Solent Coastguard, said: "The family who rescued him saved his life.''