A TEENAGER was airlifted to hospital tonight after suffering a head injury while aboard a yacht off the coast of Suffolk.The 16-year-old boy was among the crew of the 37-foot yacht Skipjack, which was participating in the Royal Ocean Racing Club Offshore Race.

By Danielle Nuttall

A TEENAGER was airlifted to hospital tonight after suffering a head injury while aboard a yacht off the coast of Suffolk.

The 16-year-old boy was among the crew of the 37-foot yacht Skipjack, which was participating in the Royal Ocean Racing Club Offshore Race.

Thames Coastguard received an emergency call at 4.40pm from the mobile phone of a crew member requesting medical assistance.

The yacht, which was about six miles off Sizewell at the time, had also put out a Mayday.

The casualty, who had been hit on the head by the boom, was airlifted by a rescue helicopter from Wattisham Airfield and taken to a landing site close to the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston.

Julia Marston, from Thames Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, said: “The yacht is one of approximately 80 competing in the North Sea Race from Harwich to Scheveningen.

“The race is part of the Royal Ocean Racing Club Offshore Races 2007. We believe there were 10 crew aboard the yacht when the young casualty was hit on the head by the boom.

“The casualty has since been airlifted off the yacht by a rescue helicopter from RAF Wattisham and taken to a landing site near the James Paget hospital.

“Yarmouth Coastguard Rescue team were in attendance and the casualty was then transferred by ambulance to the hospital.”

The weather conditions on scene were force six gusting to 30 knots, the spokeswoman added.