Bournemouth beach cleared as air ambulances land

Two people were taken to hospital after getting into trouble in the water

Helicopters land on Bournemouth beach
Author: Jason BeckPublished 31st May 2023
Last updated 31st May 2023

Two people have been taken to hospital after getting into difficulty in the sea off Bournemouth beach.

The beach was cleared near Bournemouth Pier to allow for two air ambulances to land.

A spokesperson for South Western Ambulance Service said: "We were called at 16:07 on Wednesday to a sea incident in Bournemouth.

"We sent two air ambulances, six double-crewed land ambulances, one critical care car, two operations officers, one doctor, one hazardous area response team and one responding officer.

"We conveyed two patients to Royal Bournemouth Hospital and Poole Hospital.”

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "We received a report at 4.32pm on Wednesday 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."

An eyewitness said: "We just heard all these sirens, one after the other, police and ambulance. I've never seen anything like this."

The coastguard said it had been assisting South West Ambulance Service after a call was received from Poole Bay RNLI Lifeguards about people in difficulty in the water.

The coastguard helicopter from Lee-on-Solent, two air ambulances, Poole and Southbourne coastguard rescue teams, Mudeford RNLI lifeboat, Dorset Police were all sent in support.

A spokesman said: "Two people had been pulled from the water and passed into the care of the ambulance service.

"Coastguards searched to make sure there were no other people missing and are satisfied there are not."

Bournemouth's Pier Approach

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