THE captain of Bournemouth Rowing Club has admitted a capsizing incident which saw 11 people fall into the River Stour could have been “very serious”.

The rowers, mostly teenage girls, toppled into the fast-flowing river after their boats capsized near Iford Bridge on Saturday morning.

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

Dom Brancaleone, captain of Bournemouth Rowing Club, said an internal review was being carried out into the incident and it had also been reported to British Rowing, the governing body for the sport.

“We understand it could have been a very serious incident, but it was a freak accident and we train for these things. As far as we’re concerned, all the girls had capsize training and followed British Rowing safety guidelines.”

He said a risk assessment had been carried out prior to Saturday’s rowing session and other rowing clubs were on the river that day.

“By the time the emergency services arrived it started snowing,” he said.

He added: “I’m certainly not saying there shouldn’t have been that emergency response. But I’ve been told by the emergency services there were initial reports of 20 people in the water, which explains the huge response.

“But the fire service is 100 per cent right – it could have been a lot more serious. But it wasn’t, thanks to them, the members of the public who reported it, and the fact the rowers carried out the safety plan.”

On Tuesday, 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.

“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. “

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: “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.”

The emergency services said two rowing boats, each with four rowers and one coxswain, and a safety boat with one adult on board capsized, although Mr Brancaleone claimed only one rowing boat capsized.