Swimmer found on beach at Man O' War beach near Durdle Door

The casualty was found shortly before 1pm this afternoon at Man O’ War beach near Durdle Door.

A member of the public called 999, and Coastguard rescue teams from Wyke and Lulworth attended.

The swimmer was later airlifted to Dorchester where he was met at the helicopter landing site by an ambulance, and taken on to Dorset County Hospital for treatment.

The Coastguard initially told the Echo that they were assisting with a “medical evacuation” at Durdle Door.

There are currently no details about the casualty and their condition at this time.

A spokesman for the Wyke Regis Coastguard Rescue Team said that while on a routine patrol to Ringstead Bay at 2pm, they were called to help their colleagues at Lulworth team after an “unresponsive casualty had been pulled from the water” and needed urgent assistance.

The Initial Response Team (IRT) went to Man O’ War cove. Lulworth team were on scene.

A spokesman said: “The Lulworth MRU were then confirmed on scene and relayed information about the casualties condition. The casualty, who was now breathing and responsive was administered immediate first aid by the team, and was reportedly very cold.

“The IRT arrived on scene at exactly the same time as the first SWAST rapid response vehicle. “The IRT then spoke to the paramedic and assisted in carrying the emergency equipment to scene. When on scene the lead paramedic proceeded to stabilise the casualty and requested the assistance of Coastguard helicopter 106, who was training in the area.”

It was then requested that the Portland helicopter winch the casualty to hospital due to the “risks associated with manual extraction.”

The spokesman added: “Both Lulworth and Wyke team members then cleared the beach of numerous holidaymakers and onlookers, so the helicopter could safely winch to the casualty location.

“The helicopter then winched their paramedic to the casualty and worked with alongside ambulance technicians in stabilising the casualty’s condition.

“Rescue 106 then winched their stretcher to the location and departed the scene briefly to refuel as they were running low. The helicopter team liaised with their paramedic and confirmed that they would take the casualty directly to Dorset County Hospital, using the Dorchester Rugby Club ground as their landing site.”

The Wyke team were then retasked to go and to the rugby club to secure the site.

The helicopter landed and the Wyke IRT team helped with the patient transfer and remained on scene until it was safe for civilian use.