Lucky escape for Rochdale boatman

Photo: Steve White

The luxury Sealine F34 vessel engulfed in flame.

A man from Rochdale had a lucky escape when the luxury motor cruiser he was on burst into flames off the Isle of Wight coast.

Andy Nums was rescued by the Solent Coastguard along with the ship's captain Steve White, who lives on the island.

Mr White, who is a former Royal Naval lieutenant commander, was teaching on the Sealine F34 vessel, Lynx Effect, when he and Mr Nums noticed smoke pouring from the stern when they were in The Solent on Friday afternoon (6 March).

Mr White made a mayday call to the Solent Coastguard and the pair were rescued minutes before the boat was engulfed in flame.

An hour after the fire started the ship's gas cylinder exploded and the boat sank near Gosport.