Two people pulled from sea after air ambulances and coastguard scrambled

Two people have been pulled from the sea by Poole and Southbourne coastguard teams, after getting into trouble close to Bournemouth beach.

Both of them are in the care of the ambulance services, HM Coastguard said, and were taken to Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Poole Hospital.

It added it the teams have searched to make sure there were no other people missing and were “satisfied there are not”,

Emergency services, including a coastguard helicopter, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Services and Dorset police were called to the scene near Bournemouth Pier just after 4.30pm.

South West Ambulance Service, two air ambulances, Poole and Southbourne coastguard rescue teams and Mudeford RNLI lifeboat were also all sent in support, while bus routes that would normally stop near the pier were diverted.

The beach was evacuated near Pier Approach and the area was cordoned off, a police spokesman said.

They added: “Dorset Police received a report at 4.32pm on Wednesday 31 May 2023 from the ambulance service requesting assistance on the beach off Bournemouth Pier.

“Officers are currently in attendance clearing the area to assist HM Coastguard and the ambulance service, who are dealing with the incident.”

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called to East Beach, Bournemouth at 4.39pm to support a multi-agency incident. We have crews in attendance from Westbourne and Springbourne, together with a technical rescue team from Poole.”