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Yachtsman dies after falling overboard off Guernsey

A major search operation is launched in the middle of the night for a missing elderly yachtsman.

Guernsey Coastguard received an emergency call at 03.35am on 1 August to say a 72 year old male crew member had fallen overboard.

The yacht;'s position was 15 miles north west of Guernsey.

Ci Air Search, the St Peter Port lifeboat and a French coastguard helicopter all joined the search.

A marker buoy indicated where the man had fallen in and the search was begun from that point.

Acting Harbour Master James Way said the St Peter Port lifeboat eventually found the casualty at 05.45 and he was winched to the helicopter.

He was flown to Cherbourg hospital where he was pronounced dead.

“I would like to praise the efforts of the search and rescue crews during this incident and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the 
deceased at this difficult time.”

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