The skipper onboard the Hull and Humber yacht is awaiting evacuation after breaking his leg.

Piers Dudin, 31, the only professional yachtsman onboard the Clipper, suffered an open fracture after falling on the deck this morning.

The boat is currently off the west coast of Japan, on its way from China to San Francisco.

A decision will be made in the next 24 hours about whether Piers should be evacuated from the yacht via boat or helicopter.

The incident is now in the hands of the Japanese Coastguard.

An open fracture is a broken bone that penetrates the skin.

Immediate treatment is required and an operation is often required to clean the area around the fracture, because of the risk of infection.

The accident happened during leg five of the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race.

It is unclear whether the Hull and Humber will continue with the race.