Clipper Round the World Race - Injured crew discharged from hospital
by Peter Campbell on 3 Jan 2014
Qingdao passing the John Garrow light on Hobart River Derwent - Clipper Yacht Race Dane Lojek
In the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2013-14 two crew members on the Clipper 70 yacht Mission Performance who were airlifted to hospital in Hobart last night following an accident below decks have been discharged following medical assessment.
Katherine Camilleri (50) from Sydney, Australia, suffered bruised ribs and rejoined the yacht today to sail to Brisbane. Derek Furniss (44) from Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, sustained a head injury and will rest in Hobart before flying on to Brisbane to rejoin the boat for the start of Leg five.
The incident happened as Mission Performance and other Clipper Race fleet was racing across Storm Bay after starting the leg from Hobart to Brisbane at 5 p.m. yesterday following their participation in the Rolex Sydney Hobart.
Mission Performance headed into Nubeena on the western shores of the Tasman Peninsula and the casualties transferred by helicopter to the Royal Hobart Hospital for assessment.
Mission Performance headed back to Hobart, escorted by Qingdao, due to an engine issue unrelated to the incident. Qingdao then left Hobart this morning and is headed back to the exact location of the incident where they will officially recommence racing.
Mission Performance skipper Matt Mitchell said today: 'These types of incidents in stable conditions demonstrate you can never be too complacent. A simple lost footing below decks can be serious.
'It also shows how important all the safety training is - last night we did not only dealt with the reporting and management of an incident, but also had medical treatment, helicopter and boat transfers and towing; all executed flawlessly.'
Deputy race director Mark Light said: 'The whole incident was well handled by relevant skippers, crew and emergency services and we wish both casualties a speedy recovery.'
Mission Performance and Henri Lloyd, which had missed yesterday’s start because of steering problems left Hobart this morning. Two crew members from Qingdao have joined Mission Performance to assist the crew.
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