A YOUNG woman was still recovering in hospital today after being seriously injured when a boat struck a mooring buoy in the middle of Southampton Water after the Cowes Week firework display.

The victim, who has not been named, was among seven people on board a rigid inflatable boat which was travelling at high speed and in unlit waters.

Police said the woman suffered spinal injuries in the crash, the force of which caused two of the crew to be thrown into the water.

The victim, believed to come from the Southampton area, was left trapped between the seats, also suffering from possible hypothermia.

Her condition was initially thought to be life-threatening but she was later said to be serious but stable at Southampton General Hospital, where she was undergoing scans on Saturday.

A second woman was also seriously injured in the collision off Hamble, just before 10.15pm on Friday. She was understood to have suffered a broken ankle and facial injuries.

All seven crew members were rescued by lifeboats from Hamble and Calshot before being transferred to waiting ambulances at Warsash.

Four were understood to have suffered impact injuries while one had shock.

Coastguard officials said the seven - five men and two women - had been returning to Hamble after watching the annual Cowes Week firework finale.

Police are investigating the cause of the collision but confirmed the boat had been travelling at high speed and off the main route.

The incident was the most serious of 43 handled by Solent Coastguard on the busiest day of the famous sailing regatta.

A major search lasting more than three hours was launched after an empty powerboat was discovered washed up by the sea wall to the east of Cowes just after 11.20pm.

The alarm was raised after concerned passers-by spotted the 21ft boat on the shore with clothing and drinking glasses inside - but no sign of life.

Solent Coastguard immediately launched a search of the area, involving the coastguard helicopter, Hampshire police spotter plane and two lifeboats.

The operation - costing thousands of pounds - was halted when the boat owner returned and told police he and his friends were safe and well.

Today Coastguard officials said the lengthy search could have been avoided if the sailors had followed common sense advice.

Veronica Newman, Coastguard Watch assistant, said: "Eventually the crew returned, safe and well. It turned out they had had a few problems during the firework display and had beached their craft but not let anyone know.

"They were an innocent party; it was just a misunderstanding really."

Any witnesses to the crash near Hamble are urged to call Hampshire police's marine unit on 0845 045 4545.