A French fisherman who was knocked unconscious in the English Channel sparked a six-hour rescue mission involving the Salcombe RNLI.

The casualty banged his head on a ship about 40 miles (65km) off the Devon coast.

The all-weather lifeboat was launched at about 10.30pm on Wednesday, September 11, following a call from the Coastguard.

The man was airlifted to hospital, where he was kept in overnight.

The RNLI said: “The Salcombe all-weather lifeboat was launched before 10.30pm on Wednesday to a French fishing vessel reporting an unconscious crew member on board.

“The weather conditions were not brilliant at the time of launch, the sea was scruffy with patches of dense fog, which prevented helicopter assistance.

“Upon arrival at scene two members of the lifeboat crew transferred to the casualty vessel to assess the casualty’s condition.

“He had taken a bang to the head and was unconscious.

“He had also been in the freezer area of the boat for some time and needed to be moved to the upper deck.

“A break in the fog had allowed the Coastguard helicopter to take off and transfer the casualty to hospital.

“The Salcombe all-weather lifeboat returned to station and refuelled ready for service again at 4.35am.”