A grateful sailor has thanked those who saved his life after his boat capsized.

Stephen Crawford, 61, has donated £3,000 to the West Mersea RNLI and £2,000 to Colchester Hospital after he was plucked to safety from the River Blackwater.

In February, he capsized near Osea Island and was unable to reach his distress button and started drifting in and out of consciousness.

Following his ordeal, he has since met the RNLI crew and hospital staff who rescued him and treated him for hypothermia.

Mr Crawford, who is a member of the Marconi Sailing Club in Steeple, hopes to be back on the water again in the coming weeks after having repaired his Bayraider 17.

He said: “I’m very grateful to them all.

“The RNLI and hospital staff don’t always get the gratitude that they deserve."