Sailor trapped in yacht cabin rescued off Cumbria coast

Derek Johnson said he was trapped in his cabin by freezing water

A yachtsman was rescued after getting into difficulties in bad weather off the west Cumbrian coast.

Derek Johnson, 53, became trapped in the cabin of his yacht The Tern when it was thrown against the pier in Whitehaven early on Thursday.

During the rescue, a coastguard team member was struck by a flailing mast and required hospital treatment. A lifeboat volunteer was also hurt.

Mr Johnson, from Whitehaven, was treated in hospital for hypothermia.

High winds forced the boat against the pier at Whitehaven and at one point Mr Johnson said he was "chest deep in freezing water."

He said: "It's just one of those things that happens from time to time.

"I will never be able to replace what I've lost.

"I was hoping to sail to Ibiza in the summer, but I won't be able to do that now."

He thanked rescuers for their efforts.