SOS

Rescuers Race to Reach Critically Injured Indian Sailor Abhilash Tomy

Abhilash Tomy suffered a severe back injury while competing solo in the Golden Globe ’round-the-world race and can no longer walk.

Rescuers from multiple nations are attempting to reach Abhilash Tomy, an Indian sailor who suffered critical injuries while racing solo in the Golden Globe ’round-the-world race and is now stranded off the Australian coast. After Tomy’s mast broke during a storm Friday, he was able to send a Saturday message to race organizers: “Extremely difficult to walk, Might need stretcher, can’t walk, thanks safe inside the boat.” He has not been able to communicate since. The 39-year-old Indian navy commander is stranded nearly 2,000 miles from Western Australia—“as far from help as you can possibly be,” race organizers said. Ships from Australia and India are now racing to Tomy’s location; a nearby competitor has also shifted course to do the same.