WATCHET'S Coastguard came to the rescue of a stranded fisherman with a broken leg.

On Sunday evening Watchet's HM Coastguard Search and Rescue Team attended the received a report of an injured fisherman, close to the flooding tide at Lilstock beach.

On arrival at the scene Watchet Coastguards were able to stabilise the injured male, but due to the rocky terrain and distance from the road, it was deemed too far to stretcher him.

Therefore the Coastguard Helicopter 'Rescue 187' from St Athan in South Wales was called into assist.

The helicopter was able to land a short distance from the scene, allowing the paramedic to join his Watchet Colleagues and secure the injured male, splinting the broken leg before the helicopter was again airborne and hovering overhead to perform a winch operation to extract the man off of the beach and fly him to Bristol for treatment.

Coastguard rescue officer Simon Bale said: “The Fisherman was unlucky to have slipped as he stepped back away from the flooding tide, causing him to fall and break his leg.

"He was luckily with a group of friends who called the Coastguard immediately. When fishing or walking in remote locations it is always good to be in possession of a mobile phone and in an area of mobile coverage, and where possible go with someone so you can watch out for one another and raise the alarm if necessary.”