2 May 2013

US coastguard calls off search in north Pacific for missing sailor

4:46 am on 2 May 2013

The United States coastguard has called off its search for a British man who fell off a yacht in the north Pacific four days ago.

Luke Stimson, who's 35 years-old, fell off a yacht more than 800 kilometres west of Midway Atoll.

He had been conscious and wearing a yellow lifejacket.

A British woman was rescued from the boat by helicopter.

An aircraft carrier belonging to the US Navy diverted from its course home to help with the search.