COASTGUARDS were called into action to help a casualty on a fishing boat after the man accidentally sliced a knife into his hand.

The Clacton Coastguard rescue team was sent to help the Sofie Lea as it was coming into Brightlingsea with the injured person on board.

One of the fishermen on the boat had been skinning a catch when he accidentally cut into his own hand.

He suffered a serious cut and had to be transferred to Colchester General Hospital for treatment after arriving at the shore.

It happened at about 3.30pm on Wednesday.