Child is airlifted to hospital after being saved from the sea at Durdle Door beach

A child had to be airlifted to hospital after being rescued from the sea at Durdle Door beach.

The youngster had to be given medical attention on the beach after being recovered from the water on Sunday.

A coastguard helicopter and the air ambulance were launched to the emergency on the packed Dorset beach.

A child had to be airlifted to hospital after being rescued from the sea at Durdle Door beach

The youngster had to be given medical attention on the beach after being recovered from the water on Sunday

A coastguard helicopter and the air ambulance were launched to the emergency on the packed Dorset beach

Thousands of bathers had to move out of the way to allow the air ambulance to land at about 3pm

Thousands of bathers had to move out of the way to allow the air ambulance to land at about 3pm.

The child was flown to the Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester with family members at their side. Their condition is unknown.

It is not known if the casualty is a boy or girl and the emergency services have not provided an age.

A coastguard spokesman said: ‘We received multiple 999 calls around 2.50pm saying that a child had been recovered to the beach at Durdle Door after getting into difficulty in the water.

‘Lulworth and Wyke Coastguard rescue teams, a coastguard helicopter, an air ambulance, Dorset Police and South West Ambulance Service were all sent.

‘The child was taken to hospital by air ambulance.’

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: ‘We received a report at 3.14pm from the Coastguard that a child required medical attention having been taken from the water at Durdle Door.

‘Officers attended and it was reported that the child had been taken to hospital with family members. We do not have a condition update at this time.’