A man had to be rescued after becoming ill on board a yacht near Maylandsea on the river Blackwater in Essex.The incident happened at 8.15am on Thursday.

A man had to be rescued after becoming ill on board a yacht near Maylandsea on the river Blackwater in Essex.

The incident happened at 8.15am on Thursday.

Coastguards were unable to launch a rescue boat as the man's yacht was aground and surrounded by mud.

An RAF helicopter was called and the man was air-lifted to Southend Airport.

He was later transferred by ambulance to Southend Hospital.