A man suffered a medical emergency onboard a boat on the River Blackwater during a race on Saturday.

The man, one of the rowers for a crew leading the Maldon Little Ship Club Row and Gig Race on Saturday afternoon, was taken to hospital after reportedly suffering a cardiac arrest shortly after the starting cannon.

After having received first-aid from quick-thinking crew members, nearby crews from the Marine Police Launch and West Mersea Lifeboats assisted on the water.

Backup was later provided by the Air Ambulance and the emergency services on shore.

A spokesperson for Maldon Little Ship Club praised the "reassuring" collaboration and rapid reaction from emergency services at the scene, reporting that the casualty saw a "very positive outcome." 

As a result of the emergency, the first fleet of giggs decided not to race.

A spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service said: "We were called just before 1pm with reports of a medical emergency on a rowing boat on the river in Maldon.

"An ambulance, ambulance officer vehicle, the Hazardous Area Response Team and the East Anglian Air Ambulance were sent to the scene.

"An adult man was transported by road to the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre at Basildon University Hospital for further treatment."