Stourbridge sailor rescued during sea race

An experienced sailor from Stourbridge sparked a major rescue operation involving lifeboats and a helicopter after failing to return to shore after a race.

Richard Westbury set out from Saundersfoot Bay, in Pembrokeshire, Wales, yesterday aboard his Moth sailing dinghy for the race .

But the 42-year-old, who has been sailing since childhood, was unable to return to shore after encountering high winds, rain and large waves which crashed against the vessel.

A heavy fog also descended making conditions even more difficult for the security engineer.

Unknown to Mr Westbury an emergency call had been put into Milford Haven Coastguard reporting his disappearance.

Coast rescue teams from Tenby, Manorbier and Llansteffan were dispatched along with all-weather and inshore lifeboats from the Tenby RNLI. An RAF helicopter from Chivenor, North Devon, was also sent.

Mr Westbury, of Norton, was found, uninjured, nearly an hour later some three miles off Pendine Sands.

"I was not aware of being in any particular danger until the fog suddenly parted and there was the helicopter hovering overhead," he said.

"Shortly after the boats also came through the fog and then I realised it was perhaps more serious than I thought."