A SAILOR who crashed into a pier and was “thrown overboard” was rescued and taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia and injuries.

Calls for help were reportedly heard near the entrance to Shotley Pier in Harwich harbour yesterday afternoon.

A spokesman for Harwich RNLI and Holbrook Coastguard said the man had been “thrown overboard” into the cold sea water with his 20ft yacht against the pier.

Harwich RNLI and Holbrook Coastguard launched at 2pm and a member of the public helped the man onto the pier as they arrived.

Two RNLI crew members tried to insulate and warm the man, while the lifeboat returned to the station to collect additional crew to recover the dinghy and take it to Shotley Marina.

The casualty was taken to hospital suffering hypothermia and a suspected dislocated shoulder.