Injured British yachtie 'doing very well'

Injured Global Challenge crew member John Masters was "doing very well" in the intensive care unit at Wellington Hospital early today after surgery for peritonitis.

A hospital spokeswoman told NZPA he was operated on last night after being winched off the yacht Imagine It Done near the Chatham Islands.

Mr Masters, a teacher from Essex in England, started suffering stomach pains about a week ago.

The Westpac rescue helicopter flew from its Wellington base to the Chathams early yesterday, reaching the yacht about 7am.

After plucking Mr Masters off the yacht, the helicopter landed in the Chathams and the patient was transferred to the Life Flight air ambulance and flown back to Wellington.

Imagine It Done is one of 12 yachts on the 11,000km Buenos Aires to Wellington leg of the round the world race.

- NZPA