A TEENAGER was today taken to hospital with hypothermia after falling overboard from his yacht in the Solent during a major sailing event.
The youngster fell into the water after strong winds caused his vessel, called Rebel 45, to turn sharply near to Calshot Spit shortly after midday.
Crew members from another yacht called The Sovereign taking part in the Red Funnel Easter Sailing Challenge rescued the teenager after he spent around ten minutes in the water.
They called Solent Coastguard which dispatched a lifeboat and its rescue helicopter. The teenager was flown to Southampton General Hospital with mild hypothermia.
The teenager's condition is not life threatening.
A Solent Coastguard spokesman urged people going out on the water to take extra care with gale force 9 winds forecast today and similar weather expected tomorrow.
The spokesman advised people to make sure they check the weather forecast before taking to the sea and to make sure they are well prepared.
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