A 35-year-old Polish diver was rescued by Maritime Squadron personnel yesterday evening after finding himself in difficulty due to rough seas.

The diver, who was in the Azure Window area at Dwejra, Gozo,was unable to reach shore.

A former police officer who happened to be in the area alerted the AFM when the diver’s buddy managed to get to shore and asked for help at around 6 p.m.

Divers were sent out on a patrol boat and a rescue launch while an Italo-Maltese helicopter crew were put on standby.

With the help of the former policeman and the buddy, the AFM instructed the diver to ditch his weight-belt, inflate his buoyancy control device and swim offshore to avoid being swept onto the rocks ashore.

The diver was pulled onto the patrol boat which then proceeded to Mgarr harbour. The diver was taken to and Gozo General Hospital by ambulance.