A SHIP crew member was taken to hospital in Sussex by helicopter.

The coastguard helicopter from Lydd in Kent was sent to help the person, who was on board a tanker in the Dover Strait.

A paramedic on board the helicopter helped look after the patient on the way to Eastbourne District General Hospital.

A coastguard spokesman said: "At just after 8.30pm on Wednesday, March 31, the HM Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter from Lydd was sent to assist a crew member on board a tanker vessel in the Dover Strait.

"A paramedic from the coastguard helicopter team attended to the casualty, with the crew member then being transferred to Eastbourne District General Hospital."

Sussex Police and the South East Coast Ambulance Service have been contacted for comment.