British transatlantic sailor Richard Tolkien rescued by cargo ship after head injury

His support team are now attempting to arrange for his yacht to be recovered

(KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP/Getty Images)

A British sailor forced to abandon his yacht after suffering an injury to the head has been rescued by a passing cargo ship.

Richard Tolkien was competing in a transatlantic race from Plymouth to New York when he was hit on the head by one of the sails on Friday night.

Using an on-board alert system Mr Tolkien called for assistance at around 8.45pm.

He was picked up in the mid-Atlantic by the Anton Topic cargo ship at 10.40pm where he was treated for his injuries and remains on board.

Mr Tolkien said he rushed on to deck after hearing a "huge bang" which turned out to be one of his sails breaking.

He told the BBC: "In trying to get the sail under control I was hit once and then more seriously a second time by a glancing blow to the head.

"There was quite a lot of blood.

"I realised I needed to take prudent action and seek assistance," he said.

Mr Tolkien added: "The outcome could have been very different".

He set off in his boat, number 44, in the Imoca 60 class, on 2 May and was 880 nautical miles west, southwest of Horta in the Azores islands, according to race organisers.

A statement issued by the Transat race read: "At 19:45, Race Control received a demand for assistance from Richard Tolkien. Tolkien reported that he had been struggling with some major technical issues on his boat, including damage to the inner forestay.

"While he was on the foredeck trying to clear the sail, which was entangled in the rig, Tolkien was hit by one of the sails, sustaining an injury to his head.

"The decision was taken to abandon ship, on account of Tolkien's injury and the daylight fading.

"At 21:40, after an expert approach, the crew of the ANTON TOPIC were able to execute the safe transfer of Tolkien from his yacht to the ship."

His support team are now attempting to arrange for his yacht to be recovered.

The Anton Topic is heading to Philadelphia where it is expected to arrive on May 18.

Press Association