RNLI Minhead station rescued an angler overcome by seasickness while aboard a local fishing boat was brought ashore by Minehead’s RNLI lifeboat crew at lunchtime today (Monday).

A spokesperson said:"The man, in his 50s, became unwell in choppy conditions about half a mile north of the lifeboat station and the skipper called coastguards for help."

The volunteer crew launched the station’s Atlantic 85 boat just after 1 pm -though because the tide was low the boat had to be taken nearly a quarter of a mile west of the station to find deep enough water.

The casualty was taken off the fishing boat and was back on shore within 10 minutes, suffering no serious effects.

Minehead RNLI local operations manager Dr John Higgie said the fishing boat skipper had done exactly the right thing in calling for help.

He said:“Because it was low water it would have been another four hours before he would have been able to get back into the harbour,” he said.

“Conditions were quite choppy out there with a strong breeze blowing, and seasickness is not a condition to be taken lightly. If it is left untreated the sufferer can lose consciousness - and then you are into a far more serious situation.”