A MAJOR emergency response was mobilised and a person was pulled from the sea after multiple 999 calls were made.
On Sunday, September 15, Avon Beach near Friars Cliff, Christchurch, was cordoned off, and the public was evacuated to facilitate access to emergency services.
The incident saw the deployment of two coastguard helicopters, four ambulances, and police to assist with the situation involving a person who was "dragged" out of the sea by a member of the public.
A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: "We received multiple 999 calls at around 14.15pm on September 15, reporting a person in difficulty in the water at Avon Beach, Dorset."
A resident reported witnessing a member of the public hear someone calling for help from the water.
The individual then reportedly went into the sea on a paddleboard and helped the distressed person to the beach, where they received treatment from paramedics.
One resident said: "There has been an absolutely huge emergency response. I hope the person involved is okay."
A coastguard helicopter, coastguard rescue teams from Southbourne and Lymington, an RNLI lifeboat from Mudeford, Dorset Police, South West Ambulance Service and an air ambulance were all sent to assist.
Dorset Police said they received a report from the coastguard about a welfare concern involving a member of the public and were called to assist with the incident.
A spokesperson for Dorset Police added: "We were called to assist the Coastguard with an incident involving a member of the public.
"A cordon was established to manage the crowd, and the public was evacuated from the beach."
HM Coastguard reported that the individual was taken from the water and passed into the care of the ambulance service.
The Daily Echo has contacted South Western Ambulance Service for information regarding the incident.
The condition of the person involved in the incident is not known.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article