Update 2: AFM rescue man at Wied ix-Xaqqa

A 32-year-old man from Birzebbuga was saved at sea by the Armed Forces of Malta this afternoon. He was taken to hospital where he was treated for cuts and bruises.

Paul Busuttil, an amateur photographer, was on the rocks with two friends at Wied ix-Xaqqa, limits of Zurrieq, when a big wave came and pushed him and a 35-year-old, also from Birzebbuga into the sea, the AFM said.

The 35-year-old managed to make his way to shore but Mr Busuttil did not. The incident was reported to the police at around 2.45 p.m.

The police informed the AFM, which, given the strong north-westerly winds coupled by the south-easterly rough seas, deployed both a rescue launch and a helicopter to the area.

When the helicopter arrived, the man could not be winched up because of the rough weather so two AFM rescue swimmers went down on a life raft to help the man.

Because the casualty weighed 180 kilogrammes and the given that the sea was very rough, when the launch arrived at 3.20 p.m. it was decided to tow the rescuers and Mr Busuttil on board the life raft. He was then taken to the Freeport where an ambulance was waiting.

The operation was concluded at around 4.45 p.m.