Two British sailors feared dead as yacht hits rocks after being struck by a giant wave
Two British sailors were feared dead last night after their yacht capsized when it was hit by a huge wave as they tried to enter a barricaded harbour in Portugal.
Chris Hull, 53, and Glen Foster, 23, screamed for help, then disappeared, as their vessel overturned and smashed against rocks outside the port of Póvoa de Varzim, which had been closed due to stormy weather.
A third crew member, Chris Brook, 24, survived after he clung to a lifebuoy and swam towards the shore, where he was plucked from the water by a fisherman.
Wreck: The wreckage of 'Water Wave' at Povoa de Varzim harbour entrance, near Porto
The men had been sailing their yacht, Water Waves when they hit a storm and the vessel was hit by a large wave.
It is believed the men, who had originally set off from Southampton but were thought to be sailing from Vigo in Spain to Gibraltar, became disoriented after discovering Póvoa de Varzim was closed at 3.30am on Saturday.
Destroyed: The vessel was torn apart on the rocks in heavy seas in the accident in the early hours
Remains: Some of the wreckage remained stuck on the rocks near Povoa de Varzim harbour
Officials said messages advising sailors about the closure had been broadcast in Portuguese and English.
A search involving a helicopter and three Portuguese Navy rescue vessels continued yesterday, but coastguards said the chances of finding the missing men alive after so long in the freezing water were 'very slim'.
Mr Brook was due to be reunited with his family in the Portuguese city of Porto last night after treatment for hypothermia.
Smashed: Rescue workers inspect the wreckage of the British yacht
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1354361/Two-Britons-feared-dead-early-morning-storm-hits-sailing-boat-coast-Portugal.html#ixzz1DVgw3QHL
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