A MEMBER of Bournemouth Rowing Club has played down an incident on the River Stour which saw a major rescue operation take place.

Safety boat driver Alvin Ransom said everyone is "absolutely fine" after three boats capsized near Iford Bridge on Saturday.

Nine teenage girls aged around 16, along with one adult on a safety boat and a male coach, toppled into the river in snowy conditions.

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

Two helicopters, one police and one coastguard, were also circling above the scene of the incident.

Mr Ransom said rowing crews do not wear lifejackets because it makes it too difficult to row but said safety boats are always on hand.

"We have safety plans in place in case there is an incident. In this case it was unfortunate that I capsized as well due to the current pushing me into a tree," he said.

He thanked the onlookers who alerted the emergency services but said: "If this had happened further down the river we would probably have just got out and thought no more of it.

"It is not uncommon for crews to end up in the water."

He said training takes place all year round and the crews are preparing for the racing season, which begins in May.

Emergency services were called just after 11.20am to the incident.

Some of the rowers had managed to scramble to safety up the bank but others, some clinging to trees overhanging the river, had to be rescued.

They were all taken to hospital for a check-up but none were seriously hurt. Many were suffering from the effects of the cold.

Inspector David Parr, police incident commander, said the incident was a "freak accident" but said it will be followed up with the rowing club and any safety concerns addressed.

One of the rowing boats capsized first, followed by the safety boat which became "swamped" when it went to the aid of the teenagers. The second rowing boat capsized shortly afterwards.

Insp Parr said it was quickly established that all 11 people were safe but searches continued in case anyone else had entered the water in a bid to help them. The search was stood down at 1pm.

Station manager Stuart Gillion of Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said specialist technical rescue units attended the scene.

Volunteer coastguards from Southbourne and Lymington also attended the incident.

Emergency services vehicles involved were parked in Old Bridge Road, which runs from Christchurch Road down to the river, near the Iford Bridge pub.

The incident caused traffic delays in the surrounding area with many people stopping to see what was going on.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "We were called at 11.21am by the fire service to an incident at Iford Bridge in Christchurch.

"Three rowing boats had overturned and the occupants, mainly teenage girls, had ended up in the water.

"Emergency services attended the scene and it is believed everyone was safely rescued or made their way onto land of their own accord."