A TEENAGER at the centre of a dramatic sea rescue today told how the rescue scared him more than the injury itself.

A TEENAGER at the centre of a dramatic sea rescue today told how the rescue scared him more than the injury itself.

Andrew Mills wanted to complete the Ocean Racing Club Offshore race from Harwich to Scheveningen to win the memorial cup in honour of his father who died last November.

But the 16-year-old, who was on a yacht called Skipjack, ran into trouble just five hours into the race when the boom of the boat hit him on the head and he had to be airlifted to hospital with head injuries.

Anxious team members sent out a mayday call and a rescue helicopter was sent from Wattisham to take him to James Paget Hospital, in Gorleston.

The incident happened off the coast of Sizewell at 4.40pm on Friday .

Andrew, of North Hill, Colchester, said: “Being taken up in the helicopter was definitely the scariest part.

“Although I was worried I had done some serious damage when I hit my head I was even more worried when I was strapped to a board and hoisted up close to the blades of the helicopter.

“It all seemed very unnecessary but I was pleased they were so concerned with making sure I was okay.”

Jane Mills, Andrew's mother, said she was horrified to learn of the accident.

She said: “I had a call from the skipper to tell me Andrew had been in an accident.

“When I found out he was going to be airlifted to hospital I was very worried. I didn't even know which hospital he was going to be taken to but I just got into the car and thought I would sort it out on the way.

“I was very pleased to see him and even more pleased when they said he hadn't done any real damage.

“He even says it has not put him off sailing.”

N Did you take part in the race and see the rescue? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk