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Three Britons injured in Pacific in world yacht race Three injured Britons at sea in Pacific yacht race
(about 2 hours later)
Three Britons and one Australian were injured when a large wave crashed onto their vessel in the Pacific Ocean during a round-the-world yacht race. Three injured Britons and one Australian are still at sea after a wave crashed onto their vessel in the Pacific Ocean during a yacht race.
They suffered a range of injuries, including suspected broken ribs, 400 miles off the California coast. They suffered a range of injuries during a storm, 400 miles off the California coast.
Race organisers named the British crew as Jane Hitchens, 50, from Kent, Mark Burkes, 37, from Worcestershire and Nik Brbora, 28, from London. The British crew are named as Jane Hitchens, 50, from Kent, Mark Burkes, 37, from Worcestershire, and Nik Brbora, 28, from London.
Paramedics are preparing to parachute in to provide medical assistance. Paramedics hoping to parachute in were thwarted by the weather.
Ms Hitchens has four suspected broken ribs, Mr Burkes has suffered a back injury and Mr Brbora has possible pelvic sprain. Ms Hitchens has four suspected broken ribs, Mr Burkes has suffered a back injury and Mr Brbora has a possible pelvic sprain.
The other crew member was named as Max Wilson, 62, from Queensland, Australia, who has two suspected cracked or broken ribs.The other crew member was named as Max Wilson, 62, from Queensland, Australia, who has two suspected cracked or broken ribs.
They were taking part in the biennial Clipper Round The World Yacht Race in one of 10 UK registered 68-foot yachts, the Geraldton Western Australia. US coastguard Levi Read said: "The weather conditions were not conducive to allow the jumpers from the aircraft. Because of fuel concerns, the aircraft had to return to land with the jumpers."
Medical supplies have been successfully dropped to the vessel.
A 418-ft US national security cutter - fitted with a flight deck - is now being diverted to the accident.
A long-range response helicopter has been launched from San Diego, California and will land on the US vessel, before approaching the clipper.
Mr Read said he expected the coastguard helicopter would move above the vessel and lower in a rescue swimmer who would evaluate the injuries.
"They will decide whether they need to evacuate those injured people aboard the helicopter and take them to the closest medical resources," he added.
The crew were taking part in the biennial Clipper Round The World Yacht Race in one of 10 UK registered 68-foot yachts, the Geraldton Western Australia.
The wave hit the boat in storm conditions on Saturday, sweeping away its steering wheel and mount and some of its communications equipment.The wave hit the boat in storm conditions on Saturday, sweeping away its steering wheel and mount and some of its communications equipment.
Race director Joff Bailey said: "We are naturally concerned at the recent incident on Geraldton Western Australia and are in close contact with the skipper, UK Maritime and Coastguard at Falmouth and the US coast guard.Race director Joff Bailey said: "We are naturally concerned at the recent incident on Geraldton Western Australia and are in close contact with the skipper, UK Maritime and Coastguard at Falmouth and the US coast guard.
"The safety of all Clipper Race crew is extremely important to us. Our skippers are highly experienced and several crew members on board have medical training.""The safety of all Clipper Race crew is extremely important to us. Our skippers are highly experienced and several crew members on board have medical training."
The 40,000-mile (64,500km) race, which features predominantly amateur crews, started in Southampton in July.The 40,000-mile (64,500km) race, which features predominantly amateur crews, started in Southampton in July.