Harleston sailor dies in Atlantic storm

A south Norfolk man has drowned after the yacht he was sailing ran into trouble in gale force conditions off the north African coast.

Jonathan Farrar, of Harleston, died during a dramatic rescue attempt in stormy weather off the coast of Morocco on Monday morning.

The Foreign Office today confirmed that the 64-year-old died before rescuers hauled him aboard a Norwegian tanker after answering a SOS call from the yacht 75 miles off the African country.

Mr Farrar, who was travelling with another British national, Timothy Hall, 43, had been on a sailing trip from Lisbon to Lanzarote when they got into trouble in stormy north Atlantic waters on Monday.

They made a distress call from the yacht, which was being battered by gale force winds at about 7.35am.

Mr Hall was rescued first by a Norwegian tanker, but Mr Farrar had passed away by the time he was pulled aboard and was pronounced dead on the ship.

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: 'We can confirm the death of a British National off the coast of Morocco on November 29. Next of kin have been notified and consular assistance is being provided.'

'We can also confirm the hospitalisation of a British National on November 29. Next of kin are aware and consular officials are establishing contact to provide assistance.'

Did you know Mr Farrar and wish to pay tribute to him? Call 01379 651153 or email adam.gretton@archant.co.uk