FIREFIGHTERS from Christchurch have been praised for their "rapid intervention" during the rescue of four people from the swollen River Stour at the weekend.

Eleven people, mostly teenaged girls, toppled into the fast-flowing river after their rowing boats capsized near Iford Bridge on Saturday (March 17) morning.

The accident prompted a huge response from the emergency services with numerous police, fire, ambulance, RNLI and coastguard crews in attendance.

Yesterday, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) area manager for Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset, Craig Baker, praised the actions of Christchurch firefighters in rescuing four of the people.

He said: "This was an extremely challenging incident for all of the agencies involved, as we had to be completely sure that we had accounted for everyone who had been on one of the affected boats.

"There was also very fast-moving water, and extremely cold temperatures.

"Our firefighters helped four people from the river using throw lines and then worked with Dorset Police and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency to complete a search of the river and its banks."

Two crews from Christchurch were at Iford Bridge within minutes of the 999 call being received, with water rescue teams from Poole and Weymouth also mobilised

Mr Baker said it was an hour before they stood down, knowing four people had been rescued and seven had got themselves out of the water safely.

He added: "Without such a rapid intervention, this incident could have had a far different ending, as those in the water were already fatigued by the effects of the cold.

"Our crews have the right equipment and training to be able to carry out such a rescue effectively, especially in such dangerous conditions, and they did so with extreme professionalism."

Two rowing boats, each with four rowers and one coxswain, and a safety boat with one adult on board capsized.