LIFEBOAT volunteers in Burnham rescued a sailor with a medical condition after he set off distress flares.

Burnham RNLI were tasked by HM Coastguard yesterday morning (May 12) to assist a sailing yacht on Buxey Sands with a lone sailor onboard.

A lifeboat was immediately launched at 7.35am and proceeded to the scene.

The stricken vessel had suffered a power failure and had been out all night.

There was a lone sailor who suffers from a medical condition on board.

Read more >>> Burnham lifeboat launched in 'difficult conditions' after red flare sighting

He managed to set off red distress flares which alerted a fishing boat nearby which assisted him until the lifeboat arrived on scene.

Volunteers on the scene said the sailor showed possible early signs of hypothermia.

A spokesman for Burnham RNLI said: "The Atlantic Class lifeboat took the casualty vessel under tow back to Essex Marina where the lone sailor was placed into the care of Southend Coastguard rescue team and Essex Ambulance Service as he was cold and wet with possible early signs of hypothermia.