Three Brixham fishermen rescued after 12 hours on life-raft

Three Devon fisherman who spent 12 hours adrift on a life-raft after their boat capsized and sank have been rescued.

The crew of the Brixham-registered Betty G abandoned the scallop dredger at about 01:40 BST off Lyme Bay.

They were rescued by helicopter at about 14:00 BST after a dive boat spotted a flare they released.

The men required no medical attention and are being taken back to Brixham, Portland Coastguard said.

The coastguard said Betty G was yet to be located as the men had been unable to give their exact location when the incident happened.

Robert King, who was skippering the Blue Turtle, which had a group of divers on board and went to the aid of the fishermen, said he believed the trawler's net had snagged causing it to capsize immediately.

He said the Betty G went over so quickly the three crew did not have have time to call for help.

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