A MAN was taken to hospital following an emergency response at a Dorset beach.

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, HM Coastguard, Dorset Police and the RNLI were alerted to reports of a person in difficulty off Avon Beach, Christchurch.

People were evacuated from a section of the beach while emergency services dealt with the incident.

HM Coastguard said it received multiple 999 calls at around 2.15pm yesterday (15 September) reporting a person in difficulty in the water at Avon Beach, Dorset.

A coastguard helicopter, coastguard rescue teams from Southbourne and Lymington, an RNLI lifeboat from Mudeford, Dorset Police, South West Ambulance Service and an air ambulance were all sent.

The person was passed into the care of the ambulance service.

Residents recalled a person being ‘dragged’ out of the water by emergency services.

At the time of the incident, one resident said: "There has been an absolutely huge emergency response. I hope the person involved is okay."

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “We received a report at 2.27pm on Sunday 15 September 2024 from the coastguard in relation to a medical incident at Avon Beach in Christchurch.

“Officers attended to assist with clearing the beach as the coastguard and ambulance service responded to the incident.

“A man was taken to hospital and officers left the scene at around 5.05pm.”