AN angler fell overboard before he and his companion could be rescued from rough seas off Watchet on Monday morning.

Minehead's volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew went to their assistance after the weather dramatically deteriorated, turning the angling trip into a nightmare.

One of the men fell out of their 4.5 metre inflatable, was hauled to safety by his companion and was eventually airlifted to hospital with suspected hypothermia.

The pair, both from Taunton, put out from Watchet harbour in the early hours of Monday morning with the intention of fishing.

But winds started gusting to near-gale force and sea conditions became rougher, with their boat finally being swamped by a wave near Blue Anchor.

One of the pair, 30-year-old Tom Wright, said: "We took a massive wave broadside and it literally filled the boat up.

"We decided to head out up the coast to try to find some shelter but we found it impossible to get the anchor up, so we had to cut the line."

Things took a turn for the worse when his friend, Dan Hawkins, 31, fell over the side as the boat was hit by another wave.

Tom said: "I managed to grab him and pull him in. I don't suppose he spent more than 30 seconds in the water but it was clear he was very wet and very cold and starting to lose interest in things – and that's when I decided to phone the coastguards."

Minehead's Atlantic 85 lifeboat was launched just after 11am and located the men a mile north of Watchet. They were taken on board and given immediate treatment for the effects of cold on the way back to the station.

But before they arrived Daniel, by then suffering from suspected hypothermia, was winched off by RAF helicopter and flown to hospital in Cardiff.

Tom was treated for the effects of cold at Minehead lifeboat station and returned home later.

Lifeboat officials say both men were wearing suitable clothing for a fishing trip, which probably saved them from getting any colder.

But they have warned anyone contemplating lengthy fishing trips to consult the weather forecast closely before setting out.

Station spokesman Chris Rundle said: "Winds of around 50 knots were clearly being forecast on Sunday night. It was fairly calm when these two people left Watchet and they thought they would be able to shelter under the coast from any wind.

"But once the wind got up conditions became very nasty indeed and they really did find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time."