A high-speed jet ski crash in the Carrick Roads left a Falmouth father seriously injured this weekend.

Pendennis Shipyard supervisor Alan Cairns suffered a shattered pelvis in the accident, which took place at 12.30pm on Sunday.

He had been thrown from his watercraft following a collision between two jet skis and because he was unconscious when he hit the water, his lifejacket saved his life.

James Instance, from Falmouth Coastguard, said: “The Falmouth lifeboat and a helicopter from RNAS Culdrose attended, and two people, including a boy aged eleven, were airlifted to the hospital [at Treliske].”

At the time of going to press, 51-year-old Alan was being transferred to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth for specialist treatment.

His daughter, Samantha Cairns, aged 27, said: “It’s a crucial time now, there are so many important decisions to be made - It was a major accident.

“He’s the best dad in the world. It’s hard to see him like this when he’s in so much agony. I just want him to get better soon.”

Samantha said her dad wanted to get better for his granddaughter, Ellie Grace, and that the family’s phones had “been going none stop,” as Alan is so well-known and well-liked around Falmouth.

His niece, Becky Cocks, said: “My uncle does so much for the community, he helps put up the Christmas lights and he’s such a good guy, he has a heart of gold.”

Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, who are responsible for marine safety around the harbour, said an investigation would be carried out into the cause of the incident and whether further action is required.

A harbour spokesperson warned: “Falmouth Harbour is used by a variety of craft and can, particularly in the summer months, be a busy place.

“There are regular movements of commercial shipping operating with or without tug assistance which must be treated with caution by other craft.”

Samantha added that she was keen to see her dad get the “best treatment available” in Plymouth and thanked his rescuers.

She said: “We do want to say a big thank you to the coastguard for looking after him. One of the coastguards got hurt as well so a big thank you, a really big thank you – they were brilliant.

“It was just a completely freak accident – there’s no blame at all.”