COASTGUARD teams rushed to the rescue of a family of four stuck in the mud at the entrance to Wareham river.

The Poole Coastguard Rescue Teams was sent to the river to help the family shortly after 8pm on Friday.

A spokesperson for Poole Coastguard Rescue Team said: “Solent Coastguard tasked Poole Coastguard Rescue Team to a family of four, in a RHIB, stuck in mud at the entrance to Wareham river.

“With difficult access, Poole Coastguard requested the launch of the RNLI Poole Lifeboat Station inshore lifeboat, to investigate the location of the vessel, and to work out if the lifeboat could reach the vessel to offer assistance, with a backup plan for coastguard mud technicians to be ready, should the vessel be too far aground for the lifeboat to reach.

“Just after the lifeboat launched, news came through that the vessel had managed to self-recover.

“The lifeboat escorted the vessel up the river, to make sure the engine hadn't suffered any damage, before the lifeboat crew and Coastguard had a debrief at Ridge Whalk Yacht club.”