A SCREAMING woman had to be rescued by lifeboat after she fell into the water in the dark off Poole Quay.

The drama took place around 10.30pm on Monday evening and has resulted in an appeal for people on a night out to take great care near deep and cold water.

Portland Coastguard launched the Poole RNLI inshore lifeboat after a report of a person screaming for help in the water, somewhere along Poole Quay.

It is believed that she had been drinking at the time of the incident.

As the volunteer crew rushed to launch the lifeboat more information came through that the person was in the water between Poole Bridge and the Twin Sails Bridge.

The crew on the inshore lifeboat quickly arrived from their station, close to Poole Bridge and found the distressed woman in the water.

Three crew members hauled her into the lifeboat and within moments were back at the lifeboat station, where more crew members were waiting with blankets to warm her up.

She was taken to the crew room for a check up and a paramedic and ambulance were standing by.

The woman was cold and wet but did not require hospital treatment.

The incident took place near Poole Rowing Club, which is close to Poole Bridge.

Volunteer helmsman David Riley warned pleasure seekers on a night out to stay away from the water and to take care.

“If you are walking home after a night out, please be aware of the water’s edge, especially this time of year, as the temperatures are very cold.

“Some places are very difficult to get to and difficult to get out of,” he said.

“Please take care.”