Ed FossA dinghy sailor who fell overboard when his craft capsized was rescued from the water near Burnham Overy by lifeboat crew.Both Wells inshore and all weather lifeboats were launched to help the man, aged in his 40s.Ed Foss

A dinghy sailor who fell overboard when his craft capsized was rescued from the water near Burnham Overy by lifeboat crew.

Both Wells inshore and all weather lifeboats were launched to help the man, aged in his 40s, just after 12.30pm on Sunday.

He had been sailing alone and after he fell from his boat he was being taken by the tide away from his Laser dinghy in the entrance to Burnham Overy harbour.

Lifeboat volunteers said the tide was ebbing at the time and there was a strong blustery breeze, so there was a real danger he could be swept out to sea.

The inshore lifeboat launched and arrived on scene just after 12.50pm.

The all weather lifeboat was in the process of launching to help in the search when the inshore boat radioed that they found the sailor.

The all weather boat then returned to standby. The dinghy was also recovered and taken ashore.

Lifeboat operations manager at Wells, Chris Hardy, said: 'We're glad it all ended well.

'The lads did well in difficult conditions as it was very blustery.

'It highlights the dangers of sailing alone in a fast ebbing tide in a harbour entrance.

'There is a real danger the casualty could have been swept out to sea had the lifeboat crew not acted promptly, as they are trained to do.'