THE Marine Accident Investigation Branch has launched an investigation into an accident in which a man suffered serious injuries off the Isle of Wight on Sunday.
As previously reported, the incident happened just before 12.30pm at Osborne Bay, near East Cowes.
Hamble Lifeboat was called to reports of a runaway RIB, after the lone helmsman had fallen over board.
According to a spokesperson for Hamble Lifeboat, the man suffered serious injuries to his arm and wasn't clipped onto the stop/control system, which would have automatically stopped the vessel when he fell overboard.
The man was taken to the Royal Yacht Squadron at Trinity Landing, Cowes, by RIB, before being transferred to St Mary's Hospital, Newport. He was then airlifted to Salisbury District Hospital.
Reporter: jamiew@iwcpmail.co.uk