A DIVER was airlifted to hospital after falling ill on a vessel off the coast of Weymouth.

A major emergency response rushed to the aid of the diver, including coastguard, lifeboat teams, paramedics and the air ambulance.

A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "HM Coastguard coordinated the response to a report of a male diver taken ill on a vessel off the coast of Weymouth.

"The alarm was raised at about 12.10pm on July 29, and the diver was taken to Weymouth harbour by the dive vessel.

"An HM Coastguard helicopter was sent to support, along with Coastguard Rescue Teams from Southbourne, Poole and Wyke, and the RNLI's all-weather lifeboat from Weymouth.

"The diver was passed into the care of the ambulance service and conveyed to an air ambulance for transportation to hospital.

"Dorset Police have been alerted."