A LIFEBOAT landed a doctor aboard a yacht in choppy waters when a Bury woman's first-ever sea voyage almost ended in tragedy.

Mrs Eileen Winterbottom, chairman of Bury Ocean Youth Club, became violently seasick and developed hypothermia while aboard the boat, skippered by OYC member Melvin Magnall.

As desperate attempts were made to ensure she did not lapse into unconsciousness, Melvin braved atrocious conditions to bring the boat into the harbour at Oban, Argyll.

Eileen, 45, of Jesmond Drive, Brandles-holme, was rushed to hospital but discharged 24 hours later to resume her 13-day yachting trip without further incident.

This week she said: "I suppose you could call it a baptism of fire."

On the first day of the Scottish trip she became extremely seasick. Her condition worsened because of the cold and wet and she showed worrying signs of hypothermia.

Another crew member, Mrs Iona Worthington of Summerseat Lane, Holcombe Brook, attempted to keep Eileen warm and constantly talked to her to prevent her from falling into unconsciousness.

Said Eileen: "They wouldn't let me go to sleep. Iona was brilliant. I didn't even remember the doctor coming on board or actually going to the hospital.

"I was drifting in and out of consciousness and really had no idea what was going on. I didn't remember anything until I came round."

Eileen, who became chairman of the Bury branch of the Ocean Youth Club in June, was given oxygen and treated for dehydration. But 24 hours later, instead of heading for home, she decided to continue the journey.

"I just said to myself I had to do it and I was with a brilliant set of people. I couldn't have got better treatment if I'd remained in hospital," she said.

Eileen ultimately found her sea-legs and, although staying below deck for much of the remaining 12 days aboard, she thoroughly enjoyed the trip.

As chairman of Bury OYC, she helps to raise funds to allow children to undertake sailing trips on board the Greater Manchester Challenge.

"I found the whole thing an absolutely fantastic experience," she went on. "If I can send children on such a thing, then I know what they'll be going through.

"It's funny, but now I can understand why youngsters get such a buzz out of sailing. It's a real confidence booster and I can see the value of it."

The yacht was skippered by Melvin Magnall of Millhouse Street, Shuttleworth, the former chairman of Bury OYC, who was awarded the MBE last year for his services to the organisation.

He is involved in planning a bold Millennium sailing project to Woodbury in the USA.

Commenting on the drama, he said: "Eileen was in a very bad way and we were worried about her. We called out the lifeboat but she couldn't be taken off the yacht because the sea was so rough."

Fortunately, a doctor managed to get on board to treat Eileen while Melvin battled against the harsh conditions to reach Oban 90 minutes later.

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