This morning, a ferryman fell as he stepped between the passenger ferry and the town pontoon.

At around 8.30am a crewman of the Dartmouth passenger ferry was injured as he stepped between the ferry and the town pontoon where passengers get on and off the ferry. He slipped and injured his ribs.

The air ambulance was called and flew over the town but did not land. The injured man was taken to hospital by road. He was stretchered to the ambulance and to hospital within 30 minutes.

A medic attending the injured man said: “He will be OK.”

Later in the morning, ferry crews were on another vessel, the Dittisham Princess, practising CPR and having training, after the incident.

Nick Clarance, deputy harbour master said: “I didn’t see the man injured but I understand that one of the crew stepped off the passenger ferry onto the town pontoon, as it came to berth. He slipped and injured his ribs but I don’t think he fell into the river.

“The crews are having training today but that is just a coincidence.”