FOUR teenagers were rescued by a helicopter from Durdle Door after being swept out to sea.

The girls were screaming for help and clinging onto the rocks before emergency services came to their aid on Thursday afternoon.

It is believed they were swimming in the sea in wetsuits when tidal conditions forced them on to rocks.

Coastguard, RNLI, police and ambulance crews all attended the incident following multiple 999 calls at around 4.30pm.

The teenagers were winched off the rocks from the Dorset landmark shortly before 6pm.

Dorset Echo: The coastguard helicopter during the rescue at Durdle Door on April 7The coastguard helicopter during the rescue at Durdle Door on April 7 (Image: Kimmeridge Coastguard)

A Kimmeridge Coastguard spokesperson said: “With Weymouth lifeboat on scene and unable to attempt a safe rescue due to the sea state and location issues, it was down to coastguard helicopter R175 to carry out a winch recovery lifting the four people onto the helicopter.

“With wet suits on, the four people had been swept out to sea and managed to get to the rocks for safety until help arrived.

“With the four people on board we set about securing a landing site and assisted in keeping them warm once under our care and transferring to an awaiting ambulance to be checked over for effects of cold and two with minor leg complaints.”

Allan Norman, HM Coastguard senior coastal operations officer, said: “We received multiple 999 calls about youngsters screaming for help and there were clearly a lot of people concerned.

“We are grateful to all those that raised the alarm – we rushed to the scene and fairly quickly were able to speak to the casualties and provide some reassurance.

Dorset Echo:

“They had on wetsuits and that was key; it’s really important to be properly prepared. They were a little embarrassed but they didn't need to be, we are here to help.

“As we go into the Easter weekend, we expect lots of visitors to our coasts, so check tide times, read our safety tips on our website and – if things do go wrong – call 999 and ask for the coastguard.”

Wearing a wetsuit is crucial if planning on going into the water at this time of year along with a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch, coastguard said.