A MAN was yesterday airlifted to hospital after suffering back injuries while exercising on Studland beach.

The 26-year-old was using a yoga ball during a group exercise class when the plastic inflatable popped, causing the man to land on his head and suffer a spinal injury.

His friends alerted wardens at the National Trust-run beach, who then called the ambulance and nearby Swanage coastguard crew.

Rescuers were concerned that the man had damaged his spine, and the casualty was strapped to a special board before being taken to hospital by helicopter.

Ian Brown, from Swanage coastguard, said: "The 26-year-old male was part of a group of people up at Studland who were on the beach using inflatable exercise balls.

"Unusually, the yoga ball he was using burst and he somehow landed awkwardly on his head.

"The group he was with contacted National Trust wardens who in turn called the ambulance service.

"Given the location of the male, miles from any road, the coastguard helicopter was called in to take the casualty to hospital.

"It might have looked dramatic but it was the only way we could get the man off the beach to hospital quickly and safely.

"We took him to Poole Hospital for treatment."

It was the second rescue of the day for Coastguard crews, who had earlier been called to Old Harry Rocks after a small sailing dinghy capsized.

The inshore lifeboat was tasked first to locate the vessel, and then towed the dinghy and the people on it back to Knoll Beach.

On arrival, the team stayed to ensure everyone was safe after the incident, and nobody was injured.