Boat race competitors rescued

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Bad weather hit the sailing regatta off Plockton, on the west coast of Scotland.

Coastguard, lifeboat and helicopter teams were scrambled to assist the competitors at around 6.45pm.

All were later accounted for and none required medical assistance, Stornoway Coastguard said.

Around 15 boats in Plockton's annual regatta were hit by what the coastguard described as a squall - a short violent storm with high winds.

Crews on the race's own two rescue boats were able to pull competitors out of the water and were later helped by coastguard teams from Portree, Kyle and Broadford.

RNLI lifeboats from Kyle and Portree were launched and the Stornoway Coastguard Helicopter was scrambled. Ambulance crews also attended the scene.

The regatta organiser said all competitors were accounted for. All had been wearing lifejackets.

Martin Collins of Stornoway Coastguard said: "Bad weather can turn a pleasant sail into a dangerous situation at any time.

"The race organisers had taken the precaution of making sure all participants were wearing lifejackets, accompanying the fleet with two rescue boats and raised the alarm straight away. Because of these safety precautions this unpleasant incident didn`t end in tragedy."