HM Coastguard aircraft and rescue teams have this evening conducted a successful search for two paddle boarders who failed to return to shore after setting out to sea near Old Harry Rocks, Swanage today (Monday, July 3).
The paddle boarders were initially reported missing at 3.08pm and a large-scale multi-agency search commenced.
One casualty was recovered from the sea where he was still with his board at 7.40pm approximately 3.6 miles south east of Old Harry Rocks, and the second boarder was located near Bournemouth Pier around 9.30pm.
The first rescued boarder was taken to hospital for treatment for the effects of hypothermia.
The search ran for five and a half hours and included two HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopters, the National Police Air Service helicopter, and Coastguard Rescue Teams from Lymington, Poole, Southbourne, St Albans Head, and Swanage together with teams from Dorset Police and South West Ambulance Service. RNLI lifeboat crews from Swanage, Poole, Yarmouth, Lymington and Mudeford also assisted.
