Watch: Atlantic rowers free turtle trapped in net

Atlantic rowers rescue turtle trapped in a net in the middle of the ocean

A British rowing team taking part in one of the world's toughest endurance challenges has rescued a turtle trapped in a fishing net in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Hampshire-based trio, competing as Call to Earth, were 895 miles into their journey when they spotted the distressed animal entangled in marine debris thousands of miles from land.

John Hammond, Stacey Rivers and Emma Wolstenholme are taking on the unsupported crossing of the Atlantic spanning more than 3,000 miles, known as the World's Toughest Row.

Despite exhaustion and the risks of stopping mid-ocean, the team managed to free the turtle before continuing their journey.

News imageWorld's Toughest Row Two women and a man stand on a pebble beach holding an oar and looking at the camera. They wear identical tops and shorts. The woman on the left has long brown hair, the one in the middle long blond hair and the man on the right has short grey hair.World's Toughest Row
The Hampshire-based trio were 895 miles into their journey when they spotted the distressed animal entangled in marine debris thousands of miles from land.

The group is raising funds and awareness for The Ocean Cleanup and the Blue Marine Foundation, organisations dedicated to tackling marine pollution and protecting ocean ecosystems.