Australian navy joins in rescue of Abhilash Tomy adrift in Indian Ocean

Navy ship and air force plane part of international effort to rescue badly injured solo sailor

The Australian navy has joined an international mission to rescue an Indian sailor who seriously injured his back when his yacht was damaged in a storm off Western Australia during a round-the-world race.

The solo skipper Abhilash Tomy sent a satellite text message that was received on Saturday, saying, "ACTIVATED EPIRB. CANT WALK. MIGHT NEED STRETCHER", Golden Globe Race organisers said.