Fisherman in sea for six hours

The 44-year-old man was found clinging to a piece of wood

A fisherman is recovering from hypothermia in hospital after spending more than six hours in the water off Cornwall when his boat sank.

Chris Chesterfield, from Mevagissey was finally picked up after a holidaymaker on cliffs at Gorran Haven heard his shouts and alerted coastguards.

It is thought he could have swam up to six miles from the point where his boat went down near Mevagissey.

Mr Chesterfield was clinging to the wreckage about 60 yards off shore when he managed the alert the holidaymaker.

Clearly his stamina and survivability held out against the elements Roger Brimacombe, Brixham Coastguard

The rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor was in the area on exercise and picked the fisherman up off Turbot Point shortly after 1400 BST.

He was found clinging to a piece of wood and told his rescuers his boat had sunk suddenly under him just before 0800 BST on Wednesday.

He was taken semi-conscious to the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske, Truro.

A spokesman for Brixham Coastguard described the 44-year-old man, whose identity has not been released, as "very lucky".

Roger Brimacombe, Brixham coastguard watch manager, said the fisherman was wearing oilskins but no life jacket during the ordeal.

"When the man was heard he was clinging to a piece of wreckage about 50 metres from the cliffs," he said.

"Fortunately at this time of year with the sea temperature at about 17 degrees Celsius this gave him the chance to survive for such a long period of time.

"However, clearly his stamina and survivability held out against the elements."