COASTGUARDS helped to assist a man with a head injury and a boat in distress.

Yesterday afternoon Portland Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre received a call from a member of the public, worried that a boat close to Portland Bill was not making any way.

Portland Bill rescue officers went to observe the yacht Chalupa, while attempts were made to contact the person on board.

After a discussion with the sailor a decision was made that the yacht should turn back to Weymouth until conditions were more favourable to get round the Bill.

Early this morning coastguards were called by Poole Harbour Control. They said a crewman on Condor Ferries in Poole had suffered a bang to the head whilst in the engine room and later collapsed.

Coastguards called the vessel, but the crew confirmed that they didn’t need any assistance as the casualty was being evacuated by paramedics and would be taken to hospital.