AN elderly man on a solo sailing trip from Portugal to Falmouth is being towed in to the Isles of Scilly after falling ill on board.
A Russian war ship raised the alarm after encountering the 81-year-old around 60 miles south west of the Islands.
Falmouth Coastguard were altered at 12.40pm today and St Mary's lifeboat crew were scrambled to rescue him.
On course from the Azores, the pensioner was found to be well enough to stay aboard the yacht but too ill to continue the journey so is currently being towed back to St Mary's where he is due to arrive at around 10pm.
A Russian war ship raised the alarm after encountering the 81-year-old around 60 miles south west of the Islands.
Falmouth Coastguard were altered at 12.40pm today and St Mary's lifeboat crew were scrambled to rescue him.
On course from the Azores, the pensioner was found to be well enough to stay aboard the yacht but too ill to continue the journey so is currently being towed back to St Mary's where he is due to arrive at around 10pm.