A rescue operation was launched after a man sailing a dinghy was thrown into the sea when his boat capsized in winds of up to 80 mph.
West Mersea lifeboat and coastguards were called to the Blackwater Estuary to rescue the 61-year-old man, who was then taken to hospital by ambulance.
Coastguards were called at 1.30pm yesterday and the man, from London, was rushed to Colchester General Hospital suffering the effects of the cold and shock.
A spokesman for the coastguards, based at Walton, said he narrowly escaped hypothermia.
A spokeswoman for the hospital said he was released later that day.
Published Monday October 28, 2002
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