A DISABLED traveller was today stranded on his boat on a sandbank at Linton Lock, near York.

The man, a New Zealander believed to called Tom, is stuck fast after sailing his boat over the bank, the usual resting spot for Sammy the seal, who famously made a home for himself on the lock earlier this year.

Ian Fuller, owner of Linton Lock Leisureways, yesterday went to the aid of Tom, who has one leg.

Ian told the Evening Press: "He came through the lock yesterday afternoon asking about the river. The next thing I knew his boat was stuck on the sandbank.

"With him being disabled I needed to move quickly so I phoned the harbour master and British Waterways.

"A heavy boat was brought in to try and pull the vessel off the sand, but to no avail."

The man shouted at the Evening Press from his boat: "No worries mate. I'm just stuck in the sand."

Mr Fuller said: "The landowner from across the river has been taking him supplies and had a cup of tea with him on the boat.

"He seems to be in good spirits and has chosen to stay on the vessel. Obviously it is quite dangerous for him to get off because his crutch would stick in the sand. He is clearly a little embarrassed."

Ray Duckworth, patrol officer for British Waterways, checked on the man with the harbour master this afternoon. He told the Evening Press: "We are here to see if he's okay. It's unlikely that his vessel will be able to be moved for some time because of the suction effect that the sand creates.

"It seems we will have to wait for a bit of rain and the river to rise so the boat can just float off. "We are also here to see if there is a danger to other river users."

Updated: 16:25 Friday, May 03, 2002