Rower given all-clear after rescue

The British rower injured in the Indian Ocean when his boat was battered during severe storms has been given the all-clear by a navy doctor.

Mike Noel-Smith was torn from his seat and smashed against the side of the boat during an epic challenge to row from Australia to Reunion Island, east of Madagascar.

He and fellow rower Rob Abernethy encountered trouble 1,500 nautical miles into their 4,000-mile journey when waves as high as 25ft crashed against the Transventure, ripping off its rudder, safety rail and stabilising device, leaving Mr Noel-Smith drifting in and out of consciousness.

But following the pair’s dramatic rescue by the Australian navy last night, the doctor on board HMAS Newcastle has given Mr Noel-Smith, 45, the all-clear.

Stewart Ross, a spokesman for the pair’s charity challenge, said the project manager Chris Cherrington had spoken to the pair this morning.

“Mike’s been given the all-clear, although he will certainly have to have an x-ray when he arrives at Fremantle, the port they are headed for in Western Australia,” he said.

“They both had a good night’s sleep last night and are doing well.

“The captain himself said that they both appeared to be fine, although Mike may have to have a brain scan in Australia just to confirm everything’s OK.”

The pair had hoped to beat the 64-day unofficial record for the journey while raising cash for research into bacterial meningitis.

But during a fierce 30-knot storm at the weekend, Mr Noel-Smith, from Much Dewchurch, Herefordshire, was knocked out of the boat.

The impact broke his nose, caused head injuries, and left the 23ft boat “highly unstable”.

The boat overturned and stayed upside down for two minutes.

Speaking aboard HMAS Newcastle yesterday, Mr Abernethy, 43, said: “I was terribly worried about Mike’s condition after the injury.

“It’s lucky we are able to sit here on the Newcastle. At one stage I thought we might not make it.”

Recalling the rescue attempt made by the crew from HMS Newcastle as “a bit scary”, he added: “Everything was happening in the pitch black in rough seas.”

Mr Noel-Smith had initially insisted he wanted to continue but Mr Abernethy told organisers his partner was too ill to carry on.

He said Mr Noel-Smith had spoken to his family via satellite phone and they had begged him to give up.

The rescue ship is due to arrive at the port of Fremantle at around 8am local time on Monday.