POOLE lifeboat volunteers rescued two people on a yacht before helping an elderly woman who fell from a footpath onto rocks on Wednesday.

The 33ft yacht had run out of fuel just south west of Old Harry. The vessel had been trying to get to Poole to refuel during the night.

But, unfamiliar with the harbour and facing strong winds, the yacht asked for help.

The RNLI crew were called to the scene at 6.40am.

After checking that the two people on board were okay, a towline was attached and the vessel was brought safely back into Poole Harbour and alongside Poole Quay to refuel.

Then, at 9am, the lifeboat was tasked to a medical evacuation involving an elderly woman who had fallen from a footpath onto rocks.

The woman had been out for a walk when she had fallen on to the rocks by East Dorset Sailing Club.

Passers-by saw her lying on the water’s edge and raised the alarm.

A spokesperson for Poole Lifeboat Station said: “The lifeboat crew arrived on scene and administered first aid – the casualty was very cold but conscious and an ambulance was also on scene.

“The crew worked alongside the ambulance crew immobilising the patient, moving her onto a spine board and then a smooth transfer from the rocks into the ambulance. She was then taken to hospital.”