AN ELDERLY couple were rescued from the water tonight after their yacht capsized off the Essex coast.
AN ELDERLY couple were rescued from the water tonight after their yacht capsized off the Essex coast.
The coastguard were alerted to the incident - which happened in the Mayland area, near Maldon, Chelmsford - around 6.20pm.
It is believed the elderly couple could have been in the water for up to 50 minutes before they were taken ashore.
Coastguard from nearby Bradwell attended along with Mersea lifeboat and the rescue helicopter from Wattisham.
A spokesman for Thames Coastguard said they were alerted to the drama after people on another vessel - the Cornish Gold - spotted the couple in the water.
He said they were rescued, assessed on land by paramedics, airlifted to Colchester General Hospital and warmed up before being taken back to Mayland.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here