A woman was airlifted to hospital after falling down a hatch while on board a motor yacht.

The woman suffered spinal injuries when the 40ft vessel Carpe Diem broke down and ground to a halt following engine failure.

A rescue helicopter from Wattisham Airfield, which was on exercise in the area, was diverted to the scene, five miles east of Walton-on-the-Naze, following a mayday call from the yacht at around 1pm yesterday. The Walton & Frinton lifeboat was also launched and towed the yacht to Levington Marina on the River Orwell.

The injured woman was flown directly to Ipswich Hospital for treatment.