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A large emergency service response swooped down to Bournemouth beach following an incident there this afternoon (May 31). Pictures from the scene show large areas cordoned off by Dorset Police officers.
Paramedics can also be seen at the beach, including two air ambulances landing on the sand. People who were on the beach have been ushered away while the incident is dealt with.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service crews are also at the beach. A spokesperson for the fire service says crews were called out just before 4.40pm to assist with a “multi-agency” incident.
A spokesperson for the Coastguard has confirmed two people were pulled from the sea after getting into difficulty. The pair have been taken to hospital.
Scroll down for the latest updates in the live blog below.
20:05George Thorpe
The Mirror says people at the scene have told them the people pulled from the sea were children.
Steve Larcombe, who works on Bournemouth Pier for a boat trip company, said: “There were six children involved, the police said four were walking and two cardiac arrests.
“I just hope the children are okay.”
19:26Key Event
A Coastguard spokesperson says: “HM Coastguard has been assisting South West Ambulance Service after a call was received from Poole Bay RNLI Lifeguards about people in difficulty in the water.
“Coastguard helicopter from Lee-on-Solent, two air ambulances, Poole and Southbourne coastguard rescue teams, Mudeford RNLI lifeboat, Dorset Police were all sent in support.
“Two people had been pulled from the water and passed into the care of the ambulance service. Coastguards searched to make sure there were no other people missing and are satisfied there are not.”
19:24George Thorpe
Video footage from earlier this afternoon shows the large cordon set up at the scene.
19:08George Thorpe
Jonty has posted the following pictures and video.
19:04George Thorpe
A post from the traffic montioring website says: “Bath Road in both directions closed, heavy traffic due to police incident between Exeter Road (Bic Roundabout) and Westover Road (Bath Hill roundabout).”
19:02George Thorpe
Robin Madhav has tweeted a picture of one of the air ambulances landing on the sand.
19:00George Thorpe
Eyewitnesses says the whole area under the big wheel was cordoned off.
18:38Key Event
A tweet from Morebus says emergency services have moved away from the beach, but they are still waiting for the road to reopen.
18:20George Thorpe
Danton G has tweeted several pictures from the scene.
18:13George Thorpe
A statement from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service says: “We were called to East Beach, Bournemouth at 4.39pm to support a multi-agency incident.
“We have crews in attendance from Westbourne and Springbourne, together with a technical rescue team from Poole.”
18:13George Thorpe
A message from the force says: “Dorset Police received a report at 4.32pm on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 from the ambulance service requesting assistance on the beach off Bournemouth Pier.
“Officers are currently in attendance clearing the area to assist HM Coastguard and the ambulance service, who are dealing with the incident.”
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