AN ISLE of Wight tourist has hailed the coastguard crew and paramedics who helped her husband ­— after he was taken ill near Newtown Creek.

Within five minutes of calling HM Coastguard on July 15, 2021, Cowes RNLI was by the side of Cathy Rist's boat.

The 67-year-old was holidaying with her husband Colin, 74, at the time.

Sadly, despite the rescue, Colin died of complications the following month.

"We were on our boat, Gazelle, for a long holiday from Poole when Colin was taken ill," said Cathy.

"Cowes RNLI arrived within five minutes, and we already had a medical man drop from a helicopter. A paramedic sailing on another boat behind us flagged the RNLI down."

The pair were lifted onto a RIB and taken to the coast, where a helicopter was waiting, and were transported to Southampton General Hospital ­— all within 20 minutes.

Sadly, Colin died on August 14 from complications.

"The staff at the hospital were so wonderful," said Cathy.

"Two weeks in, they decided to replace his aortic valve, but after five days it failed.

"All the staff were shocked. We thought Colin was going to pull through, but sadly it wasn't to be.

"I would like to say a huge thank you to the four crew members from Cowes RNLI ­— Adam Wilson, Mat Randall, Willoughby Matthews and Andy Stratton ­— as well as Mark Southwell, the lifeboat operations manager.

"I also want to say thanks to the helicopter crew, the paramedic from the other boat, and the delightful taxi driver who at 2am in the morning took me all the way home to Broadstone.

"I had a special coffin commissioned for Colin, and it is my intention to have a beautiful shell to lay on the sea with Colin’s ashes, and watch it bob away with the waves.

"More than 100 people attended his funeral. He was truly a wonderful man."