AN injured seaman was transferred to hospital from four miles off shore after suffering a suspected broken leg on Christmas Eve.
Hartlepool RNLI volunteers were scrambled to attend the incident onboard the bulk carrier at around 10.30am.
The casualty was taken aboard the all weather lifeboat and transferred to Hartlepool lifeboat station at 12.30pm where an ambulance took the casualty to hospital.
Lifeboat operations manager Mike Craddy said: "It's never good to get a shout so close to Christmas Day but the crew were only to pleased to escape busy Christmas shopping duties with their respective partners.
"But on a serious note we hope the seaman makes a speedy recovery."
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