A DIVER was airlifted to hospital after falling ill on a vessel off the coast of Weymouth.

A major emergency response rushed to the aid of the diver, including coastguard, lifeboat teams, paramedics and the air ambulance.

A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "HM Coastguard coordinated the response to a report of a male diver taken ill on a vessel off the coast of Weymouth.

"The alarm was raised at about 12.10pm on July 29, and the diver was taken to Weymouth harbour by the dive vessel.

"An HM Coastguard helicopter was sent to support, along with Coastguard Rescue Teams from Southbourne, Poole and Wyke, and the RNLI's all-weather lifeboat from Weymouth.

"The diver was passed into the care of the ambulance service and conveyed to an air ambulance for transportation to hospital.

"Dorset Police have been alerted."

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "We received a report at 12.43pm stating that officers had been made aware by the ambulance service that it was responding to a report of a diver who was in need of medical attention in the area of Weymouth Harbour.

The emergency services on Weymouth HarbourThe emergency services on Weymouth Harbour (Image: Weymouth and Portland Police)

"Officers attended to assist as the diver was brought to shore and escorted to hospital.

"No further police action was required and police left the scene at around 1.50pm."

A spokesperson for Weymouth Lifeboat said: "The all-weather lifeboat was launched, but the dive vessels made its own way to Weymouth Harbour where the casualty was dealt with by the ambulance service and a heli-med doctor.

"Wyke Coastguard we’re also in attendance."

The condition of the diver is unknown.