An elderly British man who fell overboard from his yacht turned down a coastguard helicopter rescue and told the crew that a boat would be sufficient.

When the Solent Coastguard aircraft arrived at Warsash, Hants, the man, from Berkshire, refused to be picked up and had to be rescued by a boat.

Watch officer Geoff Matthews said: 'It's very unusual. Most people welcome the chance to go in a helicopter.'

There was no mention by Teletex that Mr Matthews was smiling when saying this.

by Teletext

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