A Spanish fisherman is recovering in North Devon District hospital after being rescued 200 miles west of the Isles of Scilly.

An RAF rescue helicopter from Chivenor was sent to the scene on Saturday evening after Falmouth Coastguard received a mayday call.

The 45-year-old man, who was on board the vessel Playa De Lagos, was reported to be haemorrhaging blood and in need of urgent medical assistance.

The rescue helicopter was scrambled and set off on a four-hour journey to the vessel.

Internal bleeding

Support for the rescue operation was provided by an aircraft from Kinloss in Scotland.

Kevin Berry, the captain of the Chivenor Rescue Crew, described the rescue.

"We reached the boat in plenty of time with plenty of fuel reserves," he said.

"We carried out a winch, which was quite difficult as it was very dark and the weather was very poor on the scene."

"We took him to Chivenor, where the best weather allowed us to get him to hospital."

The man is now receiving treatment for internal bleeding.