Explosion injures father and son

The yacht was in Ilfracombe Harbour when the blast occurred

Two people being treated in hospital after a gas explosion on a yacht in a Devon harbour are said to be in a very serious condition.

A teenage boy has second degree burns to 40% of his body, and his father has similar burns to 30% of his body.

A woman, who was also on board the vessel, received minor burns.

The crew of the Willis Do, from Wales, had sailed across the Bristol Channel to Ilfracombe Harbour, where the incident happened just after 0030 BST on Sunday.

The yacht's crew and a dog were rescued by lifeboat and the injured were taken to North Devon District Hospital.

Extensive damage

Coastguards believe the explosion may have been caused by a gas leak, with the gas igniting when a member of the crew lit the cooker.

Swansea Coastguard Officer Terry Baldwin said: "There was a gas explosion which damaged the boat below the water line and caused extensive damage throughout the vessel.

"The message to all boat users is check all your gas equipment regularly and make sure it is maintained.

"If you have got gas on board, make sure all the gas taps are switched off when not in use."

The yacht has been beached next to the harbour slipway in Ilfracombe.

The vessel is split along one side, all the doors are blown off and the bulkheads are badly damaged.