A WOMAN was rescued from a sailing barge off the coast of Suffolk after falling and suffering injuries on board.

A WOMAN was rescued from a sailing barge off the coast of Suffolk after falling and suffering injuries on board.

At about 1.43pm yesterday, coast guard received a radio report from the Thames sailing barge 'Repertor' alerting them to the incident.

The woman was said to have fallen and sustained hip and leg injuries.

Thames Coastguard co-ordinated the dramatic medical evacuation of the casualty, called the RAF Search and Rescue helicopter to the scene, supported by the Walton lifeboat.

The casualty was transferred to the lifeboat and then winched up to the helicopter and taken to Ipswich Hospital for treatment.

Felixstowe Coastguard Rescue team were tasked to the hospital to set up the helicopter landing site.