Matt Craughwell: part of 14-strong crew whose Atlantic trek was left in tatters by a whale

A TEAM of rowers had to abandon a charity trek across the Atlantic – after their boat crashed into a WHALE. The crew had to be rescued 1,000 miles off Gran Canaria by a Russian cargo ship, after the freak accident tore off their boat's rudder. Matt Craugh

A TEAM of rowers had to abandon a charity trek across the Atlantic - after their boat crashed into a WHALE.

The crew had to be rescued 1,000 miles off Gran Canaria by a Russian cargo ship, after the freak accident tore off their boat's rudder.

Matt Craughwell, 30, pictured, who was raising funds for WGC-based Isabel Hospice, was one of 14 rowers who cheated death when the boat, La Mondiale, hit the mammal in the ocean's icy waters.

And after returning home on Wednesday last week, Matt told the WHT he was still devastated about abandoning the 3,000 mile trip.

He said: "We were trying to break the ocean rowing record from east to west across the Atlantic," said Matt who spent £15,000 to secure his place on the expedition.

"It was an incredible thing we were trying to do and I feel completely gutted it is over.

"We were 1,000 miles into the crossing and 270 miles ahead of the world record pace.

"We had a very good chance of breaking the 30-day barrier."

Matt, of Hertford, a boiler engineer for Bucks firm Ariston, still raised £700 for the charity. He added: "I plan to try another trip again this December. We're waiting news of the condition of La Mondiale as she is in the middle of a salvage operation.

"As for Isabel Hospice, it is a nice local charity to be involved with and it does so much for people in the community which is why I chose to raise money for it."

Lisa Seccombe, hospice director of fundraising, said: "We share Matt's disappointment and are very grateful he chose to raise funds for us. We wish him all the very best of luck when he attempts this challenge again.

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