A FREAK wave has left a county sailor and three others injured off the coast of the United States.

Mark Burkes, believed to be 37 years old and from Worcestershire, was left with back injuries when the wave crashed down on the racing clipper he was crewing yesterday, sweeping away the steering wheel mount and communications equipment.

Two other Britons and an Australian crew member were also injured, and suffered broken ribs and other injuries - coastguard described some of the injuries as “serious”.

All were aboard a yacht taking part in the Clipper Round-The-World race, held once every two years, and the accident happened on Saturday.

The other 18 crew members are unhurt and have made their injured colleagues comfortable and given first aid.

Their boat the Geraldton Western Australia is one of several UK-registered 68-footer yachts taking part in the gruelling endurance race, and was about 400 miles off the coast of California in the Pacific when the wave struck.

Race organisers Clipper Ventures say an attempt was made to parachute medics out to the boat but poor weather meant the aircrew could not leave their aircraft, however medical supplies were dropped near the yacht instead.

A US Coast Guard cutter and helicopter have instead now been dispatched.

The injured crew will then be airlifted off the yacht, if all goes to plan, and the yacht will continue on to Oakland.

Waves were reportedly up to about 15ft around the boat.

Levi Read, Coastguard spokesman, said: "It's certainly dangerous out there. But that kind of weather is normal for this time of year especially for the storms we've been having here.”

Race director Jonathan Bailey said: “The safety of all Clipper Race crew is extremely important to us.

“Our skippers are highly experienced and several crew members on board have medical training."