A PERSON in the water at Branksome sparked an emergency response involving a search and rescue helicopter which landed on the beach.

The RNLI, Southbourne Coastguard, search and rescue helicopter and the ambulance service attended the incident at Branksome Chine at around 4pm on Thursday, December 1.

Poole lifeboat was out in Poole Bay on an exercise when it was tasked by the coastguard to reports of a person in the water by the zig zag.

As the lifeboat arrived on scene, two crew members entered the water and helped the casualty ashore, another crew member went ashore and administered casualty care and an ambulance had been requested.

The helicopter landed on the beach and one of its paramedics came to assist, but as fog rolled in and visibility deteriorated, the helicopter had to leave.

The casualty was then passed to the care of the ambulance crew and transferred to hospital.

The lifeboat was then tasked to assist fishing charter vessel Mistress Linda which was towing a boat with a poorly person on board.

The lifeboat was tasked to see if they required any casualty care and give support.  Salterns Marina launch came out to assist and the person was transferred across onto the launch and taken back ashore.

Thanks to the fishing vessel skipper and Salterns marina launch for their assistance

The lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service by 5.30pm.

At 7am on Friday, December 2, the pager rang out to a report of a person in the water at Canford Cliffs, the lifeboat launched but was stood down on route.