RACE AGAINST TIME TO RESCUE TITANIC SUB

Forty-eight hours to save sub's crew

- Cyril Dixon and Christopher Bucktin

A FRANTIC rescue mission is under way to save five adventurers on board a submersible that was exploring the Titanic.

British aviation billionaire Hamish Harding is among the group trapped beneath the Atlantic with dwindling supplies of oxygen.

Marine experts fear their sub might be tangled in the wrecked ship 12,500ft down.

It is likely the lost vessel's 96-hour store of air will be used up by Thursday morning.

Mr Harding, 58, had told of his excitement about seeing the liner. It sank 370 miles off Newfoundland after striking an iceberg on its maiden voyage in April 1912.

As a multi-national hunt for the sub Titan continued last night covering 900 square miles, family and well-wishers were praying for his party's safe return.

Prolific adventurer Mr Harding who holds 16 air-speed records including the fastest pole-to-pole circumnavigation by plane lives in Dubai with his family.

His stepson Brian posted last night: "Thoughts and prayers for my Mom and Hamish Harding. Hamish Harding my stepfather has gone missing on submarine."