British Clipper Round the World sailor medevaced

Chris Drummond, who was taking part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, was airlifted from the yacht IchorCoal after experiencing severe chest pains.

Chris Drummond, who was taking part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, was airlifted from the yacht IchorCoal after experiencing severe chest pains.
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Amateur sailor Chris Drummond is now recovering after being airlifted to Halifax, Canada during the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

The 62-year-old director, who is from High Wycombe, experienced severe chest pains at sea aboard yacht IchorCoal.

The vessel was in the North Atlantic, 370 nautical miles from Nova Scotia, when it diverted on 23 June.

The decision was made as a precaution based on advice from physicians at PRAXES, the Clipper Race’s Global Medical Emergency Support Partner.

The team’s on board medic, a consultant anaesthetist, also helped to administer care to Drummond.

The 62-year-old, who was described as “stable”, was medevaced on 24 June.

The Canadian Defence Department despatched its Cormorant rescue helicopter to the yacht as soon as the team was within flying range.

IchorCoal skipper, Rich Gould praised the action of his crew following the incident.

“I would like all friends and family at home to know that all is well aboard, everybody is in good spirits and despite our situation there is still laughter in great supply. Fear not, the amazing IchorCoal crew have got it all under control,” he said.

“Myself and the crew would like to wish Chris a swift recovery. We are thinking of you,” he said.

“This might be an amateur race, but from what I have seen from my team in the past 24 hours I can assure the crew of IchorCoal are anything but!” stated the skipper.

The yacht then returned to the position where it stopped racing to complete the race to Londonderry. This is the final leg of the 40,000 mile journey.

This edition of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has been tough for IchorCoal.

Londoner Sarah Young, 40, was onboard the yacht in the Pacific Ocean when she was knocked overboard by a wave. She was later laid to rest at sea.

She is the second British fatality during this edition of the race.

Andrew Ashman from Orpington, Kent died on IchorCoal last September. The 49-year-old was knocked unconscious by the mainsheet.

The race concludes in London on July 30.