A French woman who became ill was airlifted from her yacht off the Channel Islands by the UK Coastguard.

The yacht ‘Lilou’ put out a pan broadcast on Sunday evening which was picked up by Brixham Coastguard. As the French yacht could not the communicate with the French authorities, the co-ordination of the incident was taken over by Brixham Coastguard who made contact with the yacht at 1930hrs Sunday.

Brixham Coastguard requested the Coastguard helicopter from Portland to scramble and the Alderney Lifeboat to launch. The helicopter airlifted the unconscious woman from the yacht and took her to the Channel Islands for medical attention. Alderney Lifeboat atteneded to assist the yacht.

Fred Caygill, Brixham Coastguard Watch Assistant said: “We were pleased to be able to assist our French colleagues.”