A MAN collapsed aboard a yacht and another had his left leg trapped between two boats during an incident-packed first day of the Poole Regatta.

More then 200 vessels competed in the three-day event but on Saturday, May 29, the high winds stopped the racing and the two men needed urgent medical treatment.

At 12.05pm the Coastguard helicopter was called out after the 55-year-old main sheet man of the Poole Yacht Club-registered Hope and Glory collapsed.

He was airlifted to Whitecliff and taken to Poole Hospital. South West Ambulance Service said he regained consciousness but was suffering from pins and needles and needed oxygen.

Martin Pearson, an organiser from Parkstone Yacht Club, said: “He was released on Saturday night. They could find nothing other than exhaustion.”

He added: “When someone is unconscious on the deck, you can’t take chances. I believe the coastguard had him off in 10 seconds.

“They were very efficient.”

The 54-foot long Hope and Glory, captained by Rob Gibson, is a former round-the-world boat and was competing in the top-level International Racing Certificate 1 (IRC1) class.

At around the same time, David Lush from Parkstone Yacht Club, competing on the 24-foot-long Time On The Water, had his leg crushed when it collided with another 24-foot boat.

He was taken to hospital and although his leg was not broken, he suffered ligament damage, heavy bruising and needed stitches to lacerations.

Saturday’s wind had been forecast for 22 knots but by around the time of the accidents it had reached 32 knots and the organisers suspended racing.

They fitted the abandoned races into the programme for the following day (Sunday, May 30), with the possibility that any leftover races could be held on Monday, May 31.

The biennial regatta this year raised money for the armed forces charity Toe in the Water, which gives injured servicemen the chance to try competitive sailing.