Geraldton Western Australia diverts to Vigo to medevac crew member

10:57 PM Fri 5 Aug 2011 GMT

'Geraldton Western Australia - Clipper Round The World Yacht Race' Clipper Round The World Yacht Race

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race crew Geraldton Western Australia is diverting to Vigo in northern Spain to medevac an injured crew member.

British crew member, Russell Sandbach, 49, dislocated his knee and has a suspected fracture to his right leg after being thrown against the pulpit by a wave while he was working on the foredeck last night.

Skipper, Juan Coetzer, told the Race Office that it happened at 2100 in heavy weather while Russell, a CEO from Northumberland, UK, was helping to drop the Yankee 2 headsail.

Fellow round the world crew member, Jane Hitchins, 50, is a doctor and has been treating Russell, along with advice from the MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) in Falmouth. Russell's family has been informed and he is comfortable on board, in the hospital bunk with his knee strapped up.

Everyone else on board is safe and well.

Geraldton Western Australia was approximately 56 miles from Vigo when the incident happened. They are due to arrive at the Marina Davila Sport at 1200UTC (1400 local time) where they will be met by an ambulance to take Russell to a local hospital for treatment.

The team is still racing and the Race Committee will address any use of the engine once the race declaration is handed in in Madeira.

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