A man in his 60s fell from his dinghy and was slashed in the legs by the propeller of a nearby yacht which came to assist him.

Fellow yachtsmen saw the man fall in at Red Wharf Bay, opposite the Ship Inn, on Anglesey. During the recovery the man’s right leg was badly lacerated with a significant loss of blood and the yacht crew raised the alarm with the Coastguard. An ambulance was immediately called. An air ambulance was also sent to the scene.

The Moelfre Coastguard Rescue Team also attended and the Police and Marine Accident Investigation Branch have been informed.

Barry Priddis, Holyhead Coastguard Watch manager said: ‘It seems that the man had fallen into the water and the crew of the yacht had gone to assist, but the wind and tide dragged him to the back of the yacht where he came into contact with the propeller. The injured man then swam the 50 metres to the shoreline before getting assistance.’