Stricken horse rider saved from incoming tide

The58-year-old man was unable to move after suffering a concussion and back injuries when he fell from his horse while riding on a sandbank shortly before 9pm last night.

As the tide came in, the Coastguard helicopter from Lee-on-the-Solent raced to the East Winner Bank off Hayling.

But he was safely brought to shore by ambulance crews before the helicopter arrived.

The victim, who had been out riding on the bank, was rescued before the tide reached him and was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital.

A UK Coastguard spokeswoman said: ‘We received a call from the South Central Ambulance Service at 8.40pm last night, reporting that a male had fallen from a horse on the East Winner Bank in Langstone Harbour.

‘We requested the assistance of the Hayling coast rescue team to and asked for assistance from air ambulance for a helicopter to rescue him.

‘They were dispatched to the scene. The ambulance service were already there.

‘The casualty was carried to the shore by amulance and coastguard rescue officers and put into a helicopter, who took him to Southampton General Hospital.

‘He had pain in his lower back. There was no neck pain, but he suffered a concussion.’

The man’s horse was led to safety by another rider after the accident.

It is not known whether the man was from the local area or a visitor.