A CREWMAN had to be evacuated from a tanker after he suffered horrific injuries to his groin.

Teesmouth All Weather Lifeboat took a doctor to the ship three miles north of Redcar where 34-year-old Koushik Battacharjee was given emergency treatment.

The man had fallen from a height directly on to a sharp, metal ledge and had lost a lot of blood.

Lifeboatmen took Dr Roger Smith aboard the 38,500 tonne motor tanker The Milide and helped him to provide treatment to Mr Battacharjee. They then stretchered him off the tanker and took him to Tees Dock.

A waiting ambulance took Mr Battacharjee to Middlesbrough General Hospital at about 6pm. He was later released and it is thought the Seaman's Mission helped to ensure he had accommodation for the night.

Dr Smith said: "The man had suffered a bad cut and it was potentially serious given the blood vessels in that area. However it was not life-threatening. The crew of the Teesmouth Lifeboat did an excellent job as always."

Neil Marson, Teesmouth Lifeboat honorary secretary, said: "It was quite difficult to move the patient down the steps and on to the moving platform of the lifeboat without causing him further pain."